HC Deb 30 June 1997 vol 297 c28W
Mr. Waterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people aged over 60 years resident in Eastbourne are currently in receipt of free prescriptions under the NHS. [5480]

Mr. Milburn

The number of prescription items dispensed in 1996 for men and women aged 60 and over by community pharmacists and appliance contractors in East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority, which includes Eastbourne, was 4 million. This figure includes prescriptions written in other health authorities but dispensed by East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority contractors.

Mr. Waterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pensioners in the United Kingdom are currently in receipt of free prescriptions under the NHS. [5481]

Mr. Milburn

All people aged 60 and over are entitled to free National Health Service prescriptions.

The number of prescription items dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors in England in 1996 for men and women aged 60 and over was 213 million.