HC Deb 25 June 2001 vol 370 c27W
Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the medical conditions which warrant exemption from prescription payments. [430]

Ms Blears

The medical conditions conferring exemption from prescription charges are:

  1. (1) permanent fistula (including caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy, or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance;
  2. (2) the following disorders: forms of hypoadrenalism (including Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
    • diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism
    • diabetes mellitus—except where treatment is by diet alone
    • hypoparathyroidism
    • myasthenia gravis
    • myxoedema
  3. (3) epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy;
  4. (4) a continuing physical disability which prevents the patient from leaving his residence without the help of another person.