These Regulations amend the Charges for Drugs and Appliances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (“the principal Regulations”), which provide for the making and recovery of charges for drugs and appliances supplied by doctors and chemists providing pharmaceutical services, and by hospitals and HSS trusts to out-patients.

The charge for each item on prescription is increased from £6·10 to £6·20. The sums prescribed for the grant of pre-payment certificates of exemption from prescription charges are increased from £31·90 to £32·40 for a 4 month certificate and from £87·60 to £89·00 for a 12 month certificate.

The charge for elastic stockings is increased from £6·10 to £6·20 for each item (from £12·20 to £12·40 per pair) and for tights from £12·20 to £12·40.

The charge for a partial human hair wig is increased from £133·70 to £135·90, and for a stock modacrylic wig from £50·70 to £51·50. The charge for a full bespoke human hair wig is increased from £195·40 to £198·60. The charge for a surgical brassiere is increased from £20·60 to £20·90 and for an abdominal or spinal support from £31·00 to £31·50.

Regulations 5(3) and 5(4) amend the definition of “relevant period” in Regulations 9(9) and (12) of the principal Regulations in order to make clearer the periods in respect of which refunds for pre-payment certificates may be claimed in certain circumstances.

Transitional arrangements are made in respect of pre-payment certificates, and appliances ordered, before 1st April 2002 (regulation 7).