§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what policy considerations underlie his policy on whether medication for glaucoma sufferers should be dispensed free of charge in the same manner as for diabetes sufferers. [37652]
§ Mr. MaloneExemption from prescription charges on medical grounds was first introduced in 1968. The list was agreed with representatives of general medical practitioners who made it clear that they could agree to exemption only for certain readily identifiable conditions which called automatically for life-long medication.
The arrangements were reviewed in 1993 as part of the Government's review for health service spending. We concluded that the present arrangements should stand.