Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his department plans to review prescription charge exemptions for people who require lifelong medication following a cardiac arrest.

There are no current plans to add cardiac arrest to the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, and no discussions have been held with NHS England on this matter.

People who require long-term heart medication may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges for another reason. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, and whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

Additionally, people on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, and people who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate.