Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 28
28
Deferred
Review period/incontinence schemes and provide free products for vulnerable groups, including via prescription
Recommendation
The Government should review existing period and incontinence product schemes alongside the burden of need. We recommend the Government considers the merits of legislating for free provision for particular groups such as children, students, people seeking asylum and those in receipt of benefits. Products that are appropriate for heavy bleeding and other urogynaecological conditions should be available on free prescription. As part of their corporate social responsibility we call on the major manufacturers of period and incontinence products to help fund the provision of those products. The introduction of such policies should be supported by a public awareness campaign. (Paragraph 103) Workplace support
Government response summary AI-generated
The government response outlined its commitment to a neighbourhood health service and the development of women's health hubs, noting 80 of 88 planned hubs are operational. It did not address the recommendation to review period and incontinence product schemes or consider free provision and prescriptions.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
The government recognises the importance of women and girls being able to access the care they need for their reproductive health, including products to manage heavy menstrual bleeding and incontinence. Since 2019, the NHS has offered free period products to every hospital patient who needs them. Since 1 January 2021, a zero rate of VAT has applied to all period products. In England, there are extensive arrangements in place to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Around 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge . 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 whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a War Pension Children under the age of 16, and young people aged 16, 17 and 18 who are in full time education, are exempt from paying the prescription charge. Further detail about exemptions from the prescription charge is available on the Free NHS prescriptions page of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website. People on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme , which provides help with health costs on an income-related basis. The level of help available is based on a comparison between a person’s income and requirements at the time a claim is received, or at the time a charge was paid if a refund is claimed. If someone in receipt of benefits is entitled to help with health costs, they will receive: free NHS prescriptions free NHS dental treatment free wigs and fabric support free sight tests access to optical vouchers to help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses travel to an NHS appointment on referral by a primary care practitioner More information on this scheme is available at Get help with NHS prescriptions and health costs . Those who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate ( PPC ), which allows people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost. A 3-monthly PPC (costing £32.05) or an annual PPC (costing £114.50) will save people money if they need 4 or more items in 3 months, or 12 or more items in 12 months. To help spread the cost, people can pay for an annual PPC by 10 monthly direct debit payments. The hormone replacement therapy PPC ( HRT PPC ) may be a good option for those patients who are prescribed qualifying hormonal medicines to help with the symptoms of heavy bleeding. Find out more about the HRT PPC , including the list of qualifying medicines. Finally, no charge is payable for contraceptive substances and listed contraceptive appliances prescribed on the FP10 prescription form. This includes the combined contraceptive pill and intrauterine system ( IUS ) or hormonal coil devices, which can also be prescribed to help with heavy bleeding.
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