Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

(asked on 14th December 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will conduct a review of medications which qualify for exemption for payment by patients.


Answered by
Will Quince Portrait
Will Quince
This question was answered on 20th December 2022

We have no current plans to make a specific assessment.

Approximately 89% of prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and there are wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place.

Additionally, people on a low income who do not qualify for an exemption from prescription charges can also seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, which provides help with health costs on an income-related basis.

To support those who do not qualify for an exemption from prescription charges or the NHS Low Income Scheme, the cost of prescriptions can be capped by purchasing a prescription pre-payment certificate, which can be paid for in instalments, to allow people receive all their required medicines for just over £2 a week.

This year for the first time in 12 years prescription charges for 202/2023 have been frozen to assist with the cost of living. This applies to both the single prescription charge and the prescription pre-payment certificate mentioned above.

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