Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to review prescription charges for (a) Parkinson's disease and (b) other ongoing, degenerative, medical conditions.

The Department has no plans to change the list of medical exemptions from prescription charges.

Extensive arrangements are already in place to help people access National Health Service prescriptions. These include a broad range of NHS prescription charge exemptions for which someone with Parkinson’s disease or other ongoing medical conditions may qualify. 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 the greatest need who do not qualify for an exemption or help through the Low-Income Scheme, patients can benefit from a prescription pre-payment certificate. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just £2 per week.