§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is in respect of prescription charges for those who suffer long-term mental illness. [135601]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonImproving services for people with mental health problems is a priority for the Government. Our policy is to help those who may have difficulty in paying prescription charges, rather than extending the exemption arrangements. By using a prescription prepayment certificate, no one need pay more than £32.90 for four months or £90.40 for 12 months for all the national health service medication that they are prescribed.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on (i) the way that different groups are treated when considered for exemptions from prescription charges and (ii) whether charges deter people from having their prescription dispensed; and if he will make a statement. [136073]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonNo research has been commissioned or evaluated on these matters.
Our policy is to give priority to helping people who may have difficulty in paying charges, rather than extending the exemption arrangements. The number of prescription items dispensed continues to rise, and the balance between chargeable and free prescriptions has not changed significantly in recent years. We have no plans to change the current charging arrangements.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to abolish prescription charges by 2007; and if he will make a statement. [136115]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonPrescription charges provide a valuable contribution to national health service resources. We have no plans to abolish prescription charges.
§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) four month and (b) 12 month prescription prepayment certificates were issued in each of the last four years. [136421]
790W
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe available information is shown in the table.
Estimated number of Pre-Payment Certificates (PPCs) issued in England in the last four years PPC 4 month PPC 12 month Total number of PPCs 1999–2000 550,000 330,000 880,000 2000–01 580,000 370,000 950,000 2001–02 610,000 420,000 1,020,000 2002–03 640,000 480,000 1,110,000 Note:
The figures above are estimates compiled from Health Authority returns until September 2002. From October 2002 the Prescription Pricing Authority has been responsible for issuing pre-payment certificates and has provided the data. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10,000.