§ Dr. NaysmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will set up a review of the system of prescription charges including assessment of the treatment under the scheme of(a) patients requiring life-long treatment for non-exempt medical conditions and (b) other patients who are exempted from charges; [135987]
(2) when the list of medical conditions exempt from prescription charges was last reviewed; [135988]
(3) what his policy is in granting exemption from prescription charges to patients suffering from sickle cell and thalassaemia; and what changes there have been in that policy since May 1997. [136001]
§ Ms StuartThe list of medical conditions conferring prescription charge exemption was agreed with the medical profession in 1968. The list and other aspects of prescription charges were reviewed in 1998 as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. No changes were made to the list of medical exemptions. We have no plans to undertake a further review. Our policy is to give priority to helping those who may have difficulty in paying charges, rather than extending the exemption arrangements.