Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 7 of the report entitled Paying to Breathe: Why unfair asthma prescription charges must be stopped, published in February 2019, what assessment he has made of the effect of prescription charges on people on low incomes who have asthma.

The Department has no plans to make such an assessment. This is because extensive arrangements are in place to help people afford National Health Service prescriptions. These include a broad range of prescription charge exemptions, for which someone with asthma may qualify. The Department has no current plans to amend these exemptions, including the list of medical conditions that provides exemption from prescription charges.

People on a low income, who do not qualify for an exemption, may be eligible for full or partial help with prescription charges through application to the NHS Low Income Scheme.

To support those with greatest need who do not qualify for an exemption or the NHS Low Income Scheme, prescription prepayment certificates are available. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just £2 per week.