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Drugs: Prisons

Asked by Sarah OwenLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 16 April 2025UIN 43940

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to topical medication for prisoners.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

People in prison are entitled to the same range and quality of health services as they would receive in the community.

NHS England commissions healthcare services across the prison estate, ensuring that healthcare providers can prescribe all medications available to patients in community settings. As a result, topical medications that are prescribable on an NHS prescription are also available for individuals within the prison estate.

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