Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of a temporary suspension of NHS prescription charges on (1) patients, (2) the NHS, and (3) the economy, given the rising cost of living; and what plans they have, if any, to implement such a suspension.

No recent assessment has been made and we have no plans to implement such a suspension. We have frozen prescription charges for 2022/23 to assist with the cost of living. In addition to the single prescription charge, this also applies to Prescription Payment Certificates (PPCs). The cost of a 12 month PPC remains at £108.10, which can be paid in instalments, to allow people receive their required medicines for just over £2 a week. People on a low income who do not qualify for an exemption may be eligible for help with prescription charges through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Approximately 89% of National Health Service prescription items are dispensed free of charge.