Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect on patients of the lifting of the prescription waiver on anti-COVID medicines at the end of March; and what steps they will take to prevent health inequalities in COVID-19 medicine provision arising as a result of that.

Approximately 89% of prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and there are a range of exemptions from prescription charges for which those in need of COVID-19 medicines may meet the eligibility criteria and be in receipt of free prescriptions. Additionally, those on a low income who do not qualify for an exemption may be eligible for assistance with prescription charges through the NHS Low Income Scheme.