HC Deb 26 March 1993 vol 221 c752W
Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to phase out the exemption of prescription charges for the conditions that are currently listed as benefiting from free prescriptions.

Dr. Mawhinney

The Government's policy is that people who can afford to do so should contribute towards the cost of national health service pharmaceutical services by paying prescription charges. Help with such charges is directed towards those likely to have the greatest difficulty in paying. The way in which the extensive exemptions on grounds of health or status may best contribute to this policy is kept under review.