Committees

Prescription charges for people with chronic or long-term health conditions to be debated by MPs

6 March 2024

On Monday 11 March, MPs will debate a petition relating to prescription charges for people with chronic or long-term health conditions

Christine Rees MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. MPs from all parties can take part, and the Government will send a minister to respond.

Free prescriptions for those with a long term and/or chronic condition. 

The petition, which has more than 20,000 signatures, states: “Extend the criteria for medical exemption certificates. The MedEx criteria should include chronic illnesses as acknowledged by the NHS. This includes but is not limited to MS, PCOS, endometriosis, IBD, POTS, depression, anxiety and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.”

In its response to the petition, provided on 2 March 2022, the Government said: “We recognise the impact of chronic illness. 89% of prescription items dispensed in the community in England have no charge. Those not exempt may save money with a prescription prepayment certificate.”

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are 'general' debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means MPs will not vote on the request of the petition at the end of the debate. Instead, the aim is to give MPs an opportunity to discuss the issues raised by a petition, and get a response from the Government.

Petition debates are scheduled by the Petitions Committee. Only e-petitions started on the Parliament petitions site are considered by the Petitions Committee.

Further information

Image credit: UK Parliament/Tyler Allicock