Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make it her Department’s policy to include long-term conditions such as Parkinson’s on the list of exempted conditions for prescription charges in England.

While the Government’s policy remains that there are no plans to review the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, there are extensive arrangements currently in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge and extensive arrangements are already in place to help those with the greatest need. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.