§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review all the categories of medical conditions that presently allow patients suffering from such conditions to have free prescriptions, with a view to ensuring that the list properly relates to current circumstances.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWhile I sympathise with anyone suffering from a condition not included in the list of those conferring exemption, this is only one part of our wide-ranging exemption system which ensures no-one need be deprived of necessary medication. Over 70 per cent. of all prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge. A further 6 per cent. are dispensed to holders of prepayment certificates.
We do of course regularly review our policy on charges and exemptions from charges for prescriptions.