§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the extra costs(a) per patient and (b) in aggregate, in prescription charges per year to patients using commonly prescribed generic drugs as a result of the price increases resulting from the introduction of patient packs; what action he has (i) taken and (ii) plans to minimise the costs to patients; and if he will make a statement. [132885]
§ Ms StuartThe prescription charge is a flat-rate charge. Changes in the cost of medicines to the National Health Service do not therefore affect the charges paid by patients. We have given a commitment not to increase prescription charges by more than inflation (as measured by the retail prices index) for the rest of this Parliament.