Asthma: Prescriptions

(asked on 19th March 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of prescription charges on young people with asthma.


Answered by
Caroline Dinenage Portrait
Caroline Dinenage
This question was answered on 27th March 2019

The Department has made no assessment on the effect of prescription charges on the young people with asthma and on the incidence of asthma attacks in England. The Department has made no estimate of the number of people with asthma who have missed their medication due to the cost of a prescription. Extensive arrangements are in place to help people afford NHS prescriptions. These include a broad range of prescription charge exemptions, for which someone with asthma may qualify.

The Department has no current plans to amend these exemptions, including the list of medical conditions that provides exemption from prescription charges. Children under 16, and students under the age of 19 and in qualifying full-time education are also exempt from prescription charges. People on a low income, who do not qualify for an exemption, may be eligible for full or partial help with prescription charges through application to the NHS Low Income Scheme.

To support those with greatest need who do not qualify for an exemption or the NHS Low Income Scheme, prescription prepayment certificates are available. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just £2 per week.

Reticulating Splines