§ Mr. HoonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what monitoring her Department has undertaken of the affordability of prescription charges for asthmatics;
(2) what representations her Department has received about asthmatics' ability to pay prescription charges.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNo specific monitoring is undertaken. We periodically receive representations about extending the list of medical conditions which confer exemption from prescription charges to include other illnesses, including asthma. Charge remission available under the national health service low income scheme and prescription pre-payment certificates ensure that no one need be deterred for financial reasons from obtaining necessary medication.