Prescriptions Survey

In particular the review would consider the evidence and submissions that they received on which long-term conditions should be exempt from prescription charges. In response to the consultation, Citizens Advice proposed in their submission that the best way to ensure that most of those struggling to afford prescriptions get the help they need would be to exempt all those on Employment & Support Allowance, Industrial Benefit or Disability Living Allowance, rather than exempting patients with specific medical conditions.

This benefit-linked approach to exemption would also be very easy to administer and simple for patients to claim. It would also focus the help particularly on those with long term conditions who are unable to work because of their condition and/or who have caring or mobility needs. Such patients being more likely to live on a low income and therefore to have difficulty affording prescription charges.

In support of this campaign CALC completed the Department of Health online web survey last quarter stressing Citizens Advice’s view that paying for prescriptions is basically a financial not a medical issue. Since then an Early Day Motion number 785 has been tabled by Doug Naysmith MP, reflecting the view put forward in Citizens Advice’s submission.

In support of this campaign letters were written to MPs Bob Laxton and Mark Todd asking them to sign the motion.

In response Bob Laxton MP agreed to support the campaign and signed the motion. Mark Todd MP stated that he had not supported the campaign to date and that he preferred to focus on extending exemptions to other serious and long-term conditions.

In particular he felt that the main difficulties were:

• Revenue forgone for the NHS – If we lose this revenue it must be replaced (unlikely in current circumstances) or corresponding cuts made;
• Wastage of existing prescriptions is a problem (large quantities are not utilised). By removing any cost it is likely that this will increase;

Free prescriptions are already provided in a majority of cases. By extending them to everyone the benefit will largely be felt by those who can reasonably pay.

In response to Mark Todd MP’s letter CALC wrote a letter addressing his concerns and also enclosed a copy of Citizens Advice’s Submission to the Prescription Charges Review.

CALC is presently awaiting a response from Mark Todd MP.
 

For more information contact:

Mrs Amanda Leadbeater
Tel: 01332 228724,
Email: amanda.leadbeater@citizensadviceandlawcentre.org