Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2025 to Question 67788 on Prescriptions: Terminal Illnesses, what the procedure is if a person is issued with an enquiry letter and a Penalty Charge Notice but were eligible for a Medical Exemption Certificate in relation to their liability to pay the Penalty Charge Notice.

If a patient receives an Enquiry Letter or Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and is eligible for a Medical Exemption Certificate, they are advised to apply for the certificate and pay the prescription charge. Once the application has been received and processed, the penalty charge is removed. It should be noted that the prescription charge can only be paid once a PCN has been issued, as payments cannot be accepted at the Enquiry Letter stage.