§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received regarding people on low incomes and their ability to afford their prescriptions; and if he will make a statement; [64593]
(2) if he will review the arrangements for providing financial assistance in paying for necessary medication for patients; and if he will make a statement. [64596]
§ Mr. LammyAs a result of wide ranging exemption arrangements in England, around 50 per cent. of the population do not pay prescription charges and around 85 per cent. of prescription items are dispensed free of charge. Financial assistance in paying for medication is available to recipients of income support, income based jobseeker's allowance, many recipients of working families' tax credit and disabled person's tax credit and people who hold a national health scheme low income scheme exemption certificate for full help.
447WWe receive representations from time to time about the ability of people on low incomes to pay for their prescriptions, but we have no plans to change the arrangements other than in the light of changes to the tax credit arrangements.