HC Deb 19 July 2002 vol 389 c659W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the system of prescription charging, with specific reference to patients in(a) day wards and (b) in-patient centres. [70003]

Mr. Lammy

There is no charge for medication administered on hospital premises whether the patient is an in-patient, out-patient or day surgery case. Out-patients and day case patients are required to pay a prescription charge for any medication they are given to take at home, unless they qualify for free prescriptions under the extensive charge exemptions and remission arrangements or hold a pre-payment certificate. In-patients get their discharge medication free of charge. We have no plans to change the current charging arrangements.