Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to make prescriptions free for people who suffer from asthma.

We currently have no plans to do so. Approximately 89% of prescriptions are already dispensed free of charge and extensive arrangements are in place to help those most in need. To support those who do not qualify for an exemption, a prescription pre-payment certificate can be paid for in instalments. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week.