The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Amendment Regulations 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000 (“the principal Regulations”).

Regulations 2 to 6, 7(1) and 8 increase the charges payable under the principal Regulations but regulation 11 provides for the old charges to apply in respect of certain appliances ordered and pre-payment certificates applied for before the coming into force of the Regulations.

Regulation 7 amends regulation 9 of the principal Regulations. It extends the period of a pre-payment certificate for which a refund may be claimed on the death of the holder to the full months unexpired on that death. It extends the period (from one month to 4 months) in respect of which a refund may be claimed when the holder of a 12 month pre-payment certificate becomes entitled to exemption from or remission of prescription charges. It also extends the period for making a claim for a refund and makes provision for acceptance of a claim outside the specified time limits in cases where the Secretary of State is satisfied that the delay was for good cause.