§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will estimate the number of cystic fibrosis sufferers who have to pay for prescriptions;
(2) if he will estimate the cost of exempting cystic fibrosis sufferers from prescription charges in 1984–85.
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§ Mr. John PattenI understand the Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust believes there to be around 1,200 sufferers from cystic fibrosis aged 16 and over. All would be liable to pay charges, but a number of these are likely to be exempt from charges on financial or other medical grounds.
The cost of exempting those not currently exempt would be small. However it would be unfair to single out one group for exemption and to accept all the claims we have received would cost more than we can ask the NHS to take on at present.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many specialist units for cystic fibrosis sufferers exist in England and Wales; how many and which of them are within the north-west region; what advantages flow from the operation of these units; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish an estimate of the number of sufferers from cystic fibrosis (a) within the north-west region and (b) England and Wales;
(2) if he will publish an estimate of the number of sufferers from cystic fibrosis in England and Wales aged over 16 years and over 21 years at the latest available date and in 1974, respectively.
§ Mr. John PattenInformation is not collected centrally about the number, age distribution or location of sufferers from cystic fibrosis, which occurs about once in every 2,000 live births. However, it has been estimated that in 1984 there were up to 6,000 people suffering from this condition in the United Kingdom.