Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Sanitary Products
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing (a) free and (b) reduced-price sanitary products for women with PCOS and similar conditions.
Answered by Karin Smyth
There are no current plans to carry out an assessment of the potential merits of providing free or reduced-price sanitary products for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other gynaecological conditions. The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health and improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions, including PCOS.
Since 2019, the National Health Service has offered period products to every hospital patient who needs them. In January 2020, the Department for Education launched a scheme which makes free period products available for state-funded primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges in England. Since 1 January 2021, a zero rate of VAT has applied to all period products.
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