Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 26 October (HL2576), what steps they are taking to raise awareness of pre-payment certificates for people living with sickle cell disease.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
The NHS Business Service Authority promotes the availability of pre-payment certificates for all patients, including those with sickle cell disease, online and through pharmacies.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 26 October (HL2576), how many people with sickle cell disease (1) are not eligible for prescriptions, and (2) have purchased a pre-payment certificate in the last five years.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
The information requested is not held centrally.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of a temporary suspension of NHS prescription charges on (1) patients, (2) the NHS, and (3) the economy, given the rising cost of living; and what plans they have, if any, to implement such a suspension.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
No recent assessment has been made and we have no plans to implement such a suspension. We have frozen prescription charges for 2022/23 to assist with the cost of living. In addition to the single prescription charge, this also applies to Prescription Payment Certificates (PPCs). The cost of a 12 month PPC remains at £108.10, which can be paid in instalments, to allow people receive their required medicines for just over £2 a week. People on a low income who do not qualify for an exemption may be eligible for help with prescription charges through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Approximately 89% of National Health Service prescription items are dispensed free of charge.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce free NHS prescriptions for medical conditions with existing health inequalities, such as sickle cell disease.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
No specific assessment has been made and there are no current plans to review or extend the prescription charge medical exemptions list to include long term conditions, such as sickle cell disease.
Approximately 89% of prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and there are a range of exemptions from prescription charges for which those with sickle cell disease may meet the eligibility criteria and be in receipt of free prescriptions. To support those who do not qualify for an exemption from prescription charges, the cost of prescriptions can be capped by purchasing a prescription pre-payment certificate, which can be paid for in instalments. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week. Additionally, those on a low income who do not qualify for an exemption from prescription charges can also seek help under the NHS Low Income Service, which provides help with health costs on an income-related basis.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the affordability of medication for people living with sickle cell disease.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
No specific assessment has been made and there are no current plans to review or extend the prescription charge medical exemptions list to include long term conditions, such as sickle cell disease.
Approximately 89% of prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and there are a range of exemptions from prescription charges for which those with sickle cell disease may meet the eligibility criteria and be in receipt of free prescriptions. To support those who do not qualify for an exemption from prescription charges, the cost of prescriptions can be capped by purchasing a prescription pre-payment certificate, which can be paid for in instalments. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week. Additionally, those on a low income who do not qualify for an exemption from prescription charges can also seek help under the NHS Low Income Service, which provides help with health costs on an income-related basis.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia report No One's Listening: An Inquiry into the Avoidable Deaths and Failures of Care for Sickle Cell Patients in Secondary Care, published on 15 November 2021, what assessment they have made of the impact of prescription charges for people with sickle cell disease.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
No specific assessment has been made and there are no current plans to review or extend the prescription charge medical exemptions list to include long term conditions, such as sickle cell disease.
Approximately 89% of prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and there are a range of exemptions from prescription charges for which those with sickle cell disease may meet the eligibility criteria and be in receipt of free prescriptions. To support those who do not qualify for an exemption from prescription charges, the cost of prescriptions can be capped by purchasing a prescription pre-payment certificate, which can be paid for in instalments. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week. Additionally, those on a low income who do not qualify for an exemption from prescription charges can also seek help under the NHS Low Income Service, which provides help with health costs on an income-related basis.