§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations she has received regarding injection pens and special needles for diabetics in relation to prescription charges; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNone.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to make injection pens and special needles available free on prescription for diabetics; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyDisposable insulin injection pens are already available on national health service prescription. People with diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone, are exempt from prescription charges. Reusable injection pens and their needles are not available on general practitioner prescription and there are currently no plans to make them available in this way. These pens, however, may be provided free of charge from hospitals if the consultant in charge of a patient's treatment thinks this is appropriate.
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