Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what provision is being made for immunocompromised people who are struggling financially from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing challenges for those still vulnerable to the virus; and how they will support those affected in the light of their prescription waiver on anti-viral drugs being withdrawn

Treatments for COVID-19 are available free of charge on the National Health Service in England for eligible high-risk patients with a positive COVID-19 test result. In addition, the charge waiver will continue to apply to therapeutic treatments made available through the HEAL-COVID and STIMULATE-ICP trials.

There are also a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place, covering children, pregnant women, those over 60 years old, people on certain income related benefits or whose partner is in receipt of those benefits as well as those with specific medical conditions. Around 89% of prescription items are free on the NHS in England. On top of that, people on a low income can apply for support through the NHS Low Income Scheme, and all patients can also buy a pre-payment certificate which covers all the items they need for just over £2 per week.