§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the reason for drugs used to treat schizophrenia being excluded from the list of drugs exempted from prescription charges.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe list of medical conditions that confer prescription charge exemption was drawn up in 1968, when prescription charges were reinstated. This was done with the full co-operation of medical practitioners, whose representatives made it clear that they could only agree to exemption for certain readily identifiable medical conditions, which called automatically for life-long medication.
The list has been reviewed on a number of occasions, but on each it has been concluded that no change should be made. There are extensive general arrangements for prescription charge exemption, which coupled with charge remission under the national health service low income scheme, protect vulnerable groups in the community. These arrangements ensure that no one need be deterred from obtaining necessary medication for financial reasons.