Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will include stroke patients in the list of those exempted from prescription charges. [185431]
Norman Lamb: In 2010, responding to Professor Ian Gilmore's review into extending entitlement to free prescriptions to all those with a long-term condition, the Government made clear that in light of the challenging financial context, no changes would be made to the current list of exemptions. Prescription charges in England raise valuable income, in the region of £450 million each year, which helps the national health service to maintain vital services for patients.
An extensive range of exemptions, based on age, income and medical condition are already in place to support those who may struggle to pay for their prescriptions. Around 90% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge, including to those who have a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC). PPCs are available for those who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need multiple prescriptions. With the annual PPC, someone can obtain as many items as they need for £2 a week. The price of the annual certificate has now been frozen for the fourth successive year, and the three-month PPC has been frozen for two years.