§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) men aged 65 years and over, (b) women aged 60 years and over and (c) people with family health services authority exemption certificates for prescriptions there were in each year since 1988.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe available information is shown in the table.
Numbers of men aged 65 years and over, women aged 60 years and over and prescription charge exemption certificates issued by family health services authorities1 in England in each year 1988 to 1991 Year Men aged 65 and over Women aged 60 and over Exemption2 certificates 1988 2,981,002 5,752,924 635,779 1989 3,013,527 5,760,838 621,229 1990 3,036,790 5,758,402 594,894 1991 3,071,645 5,788,790 608,792 1 Family health services authorities issue exemption certificates to pregnant women, women in the first year after the birth of a child and men and women with one or more of the medical conditions which confer entitlement to free prescriptions. 2 Data derived from six-monthly statistical returns provided by family health services authorities.