Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS prescription penalty charges were overturned in each of the last five years; how many appeals were rejected; and how many successful appeals were categorised as you think you have an exceptional reason not to pay, and can show that you did not act wrongfully or with any lack of care.

The following table shows the number of penalty charges overturned in the last five years, from 2019/20 to 2024/25:

Notes:

1. the data provided does not include easements applied where a valid exemption for maternity or medical certificates is awarded within 60 days of a Penalty Charge Notice being issued. This enables patients who are entitled to an exemption, for example through pregnancy, to make the appropriate claim for an exemption certificate if they have not already done so;
2. 2021/22 saw a reduced number of penalty charges due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
3. the data is a snapshot as of 1 April 2025 and therefore figures may increase if the extract is repeated.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) does not categorise or collect data on unsuccessful appeals, or the reason given when a patient has attempted to challenge a penalty charge. Therefore, the NHSBSA does not hold data on how many appeals were rejected, or how many successful appeals were categorised as ‘you think you have an exceptional reason not to pay, and can show that you did not act wrongfully or with any lack of care’.