Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing people diagnosed with Crohn's and Colitis to access a medical exemption card.

There are no current plans to review or extend the prescription charge medical exemptions list to include long term conditions such Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Approximately 89% of prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and there are wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis 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, people 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.