Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Prescription Charges: Long-term Health Conditions

11 March 2024 · 2 other contributors · 4,454 words

Opened by Christina Rees Lab Neath

Responding minister: Andrea Leadsom

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Christina Rees raised concerns about prescription charges: long-term health conditions in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the impact of prescription charges on individuals with chronic health conditions like multiple sclerosis and endometriosis.
  • Specific asks of government include expanding the medical exemption list for those suffering from chronic conditions to improve quality of life and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
  • Minister noted that exemptions cover 89% of all prescription items and discussed support measures like Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) capping annual costs at 111.60 for those who qualify.

Key requests to Government

I urge the Minister and the UK Government to listen to the thousands who have signed petitions relating to prescription charges. It is essential that we start expanding the medical exemption list for those suffering from chronic conditions, as doing so can improve their quality of life and potentially reduce long-term healthcare costs.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Christina Rees Lab Neath

I am concerned about the impact of prescription charges on individuals with chronic or long-term health conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and endometriosis. The creator of a petition, Mia, is in her 20s and faces paying for medication to alleviate MS symptoms for decades. There are no gold-standard medications that completely alleviate symptoms for many listed conditions. The criteria for medical exemption certificates have not been reviewed since 1968, with the inclusion of cancer patients in 2009 being a notable exception.

Other contributors (2)
  • Lilian Greenwood Lab Nottingham South

    My hon. Friend is doing a great job of setting out some of the challenges that people with long-term conditions face. She shares concern about the damaging impact on both individual health and the national health service, as skipping medication due to cost leads to more GP visits, A&E admissions, and hospital stays, which are expensive for the NHS and detrimental to individuals and their families.

  • Preet Kaur Gill Lab Co-op Birmingham Edgbaston

    Ms Gill highlighted the financial burden of prescription charges on people with chronic conditions, noting that living standards have dropped due to the cost-of-living crisis. She argued for reforming health and care services to ensure better access to treatment and reducing the outlay of prescriptions, which can be up to £111.60 annually. She questioned the fairness in how different conditions are treated under current exemptions and called on the Government to reassess the medical exemption list.

Government Response

Andrea Leadsom

Discussed the Government's stance on prescription charges, stating that while the charge is currently set at £9.65 per item and reviewed annually, exemptions cover 89% of all prescription items. Emphasised support measures like a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) capping annual costs at £111.60 or around £2 weekly, and the NHS Low Income Scheme providing help for those on low incomes. Noted that long-term conditions affect over 26 million people in England, with about £206 billion spent on health and social care in 2022-23. Highlighted efforts to support employment for those with long-term conditions through work coach support and the Disability Confident scheme. Mentioned energy bill support measures like a £400 discount over six months and an extended energy price guarantee reducing typical annual household bills by about £3,000. Reaffirmed the Government's decision to require contributions from better-off patients while recognising that 89% of prescription charges are no longer payable.

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