Heart Diseases: Prescriptions
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review the current criteria for medical exemption certificates for prescription charges to include Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock
There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions or the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate. The Government has not specifically assessed the impact on patient health outcomes for people with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy who may struggle to afford their prescribed medication.
Patients with certain medical conditions may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges for another reason. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, and whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.
Additionally, people on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, and people who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs are available to purchase online from the NHS Business Services Authority or in-person at some pharmacies. The prescription charge in England is £9.90. A PPC costs £32.05 for three months or £114.50 for 12 months.
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