Mumsnet Talk

To be fair I don't see anyone 'bashing' thyroid sufferers. I bought it up as an example of the inequality in the system.

My point was that there are plenty of folk who have life-limiting conditions who have to pay and a group who don't, which happens to include those with thyroid disease amongst other things. Maybe the list of exemptions needs an overhaul and consideration needs to be given as to whether only the life-saving drug should be free and not all the add-ons.

The thing is, free prescriptions probably work out cheaper for the NHS in the long term, and not just because means testing it itself an expensive admin process.

I know this was the case for the introduction of free eye tests in Scotland, which, since they were introduced in 2006, have saved the Scottish government £440m. This is because regular eye tests lead to serious conditions being spotted very early, before they cause symptoms and when they're still easy and quick to treat, therefore saving the NHS the cost of treating advanced conditions over long periods.

I suspect we'll soon find that free prescriptions have the same impact. If, say, you had a minor skin condition and you had to pay for a prescription to treat it you might think, 'That's not worth paying £7.85 when I can just live with it.' But then it might get worse, cover your whole body, become infected etc, and that might be when you think, 'OK, I need to get this sorted now'. But while that treatment will still cost you £7.85, it will probably cost the NHS a lot more - because they'll have to fund a more complex treatment programme.

But if the prescription was free in the first place, you'd be more likely to treat it in the early, bearable stage. And you would save the NHS money in doing so.

I live in Scotland, am a Scottish taxpayer, and am firmly in favour of free prescriptions. Like free eye tests, they just make economic as well as social sense.

Here's the citation for the free eye test cost saving in Scotland: http://www.aop.org.uk/uploads/Scotland/the_economic_impact_of_free_eye_examinations_in_scotland.pdf

Currently saving the Scottish government about £440m per year.

In Wales we don't pay for prescription but for dentists we do

I take 3 different mess a day for depression - I don't think I could afford to if I had to pay nearly £8 a time each

well said terracottatoad

DameSaggarmakersbottomknocker - "To be fair I don't see anyone 'bashing' thyroid sufferers. I bought it up as an example of the inequality in the system."

Why does it seem that thyroid disease is always the 'go to' illness to be held up as an example?

Why not choose one of the other groups who receive free prescriptions?

You can get free NHS prescriptions if you:

•are 60 or over
•are under 16
•are 16-18 and in full-time education
•are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
•have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
•have a continuing physical disability that prevents you from going out without help from another person and have a valid MedEx
•hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
•are an NHS inpatient

You are also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partners) are named on, or are entitled to, an NHS tax credit exemption certificate or a valid HC2 certificate (full help with health costs), or you receive either:

•Income Support
•Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
•Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
•Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
•Universal Credit

Thanks IrnBru! Prevention is cheaper than cure! Also love your name

It's not true that you have to pay befoer being seen at A&E in Ireland, we aren'' savages ffs! Most hospitals don't even deal with payments at a&e now, they send you a bill later.

Toasted I think thyroid disease is singled out by so many people because people seem to see it as not a serious condition. It is almost seen as an excuse trotted out for laziness, fatness etc. There is also a reluctance by some doctors to adequately treat the condition, so we face a battle on all sides. It is very easy as a sufferer to feel a little defensive.

I was diagnosed 3 and a half years ago and have just got my medication to a level where I feel vaguely normal, after countless blood tests and medication level tweaks. I still have my hair falling out, feel exhausted a lot of the time and have memory issues which have meant I have had to stop doing my OU courses for the time being because I can't remember enough for exams.

Sparkling wondered above if people with the condition were susceptible to other illnesses and the answer is yes. Hypothyroidism has been linked with kidney problems, diabetes, glaucoma, respiratory problems and many other conditions. Lack of treatment (which people could be tempted to do if they had to pay for the tablets) is associated with even more conditions (thus costing the NHS more) and, obviously, death.

As for prescription charges, I currently take three tablets a day as the tablets only come in 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg strengths. As I need 175mcg I need three prescriptions. I am therefore very grateful for my exemption certificate.

I also think begrudging someone with a lifelong condition the odd free prescription for antibiotics is a little petty. I can assure you I would give up my right to free prescriptions in an instant if I didn't have to live with the crap involved with a thyroid disorder.

"I also think begrudging someone with a lifelong condition the odd free prescription for antibiotics is a little petty. I can assure you I would give up my right to free prescriptions in an instant if I didn't have to live with the crap involved with a thyroid disorder."

I know how you feel Anne. And I agree with this, we should not be grudged free prescriptions for life when you consider the altered quality of life thyroid disorders can bring. And no amount of thyroxine (well, for some of us anyway) really does make a huge impact on the illness regardless of how much it's tweaked...

terracotatoad thanks.

that was an interesting link about the eye tests in Scotland. Just goes to show there is logic in the Scottish Government's motives (not just Alec Salmond trying to win the votes!).

I have said that I didn't know, and I don't begrudge anybody anything.

Sorry, Sparkling I didn't intend to have a go at you, I apologise if it came across that way.

I just wanted to correct someone else's point above that it wasn't connected to other issues. I remembered you had asked the original question because of our mutual devotion to a daytime soap!

I know Anne. I feel like I have opened the can and there are worms everywhere. Plus I do feel a bit naive making massive assumptions based on one person I know.

I think we should abolish prescription charges entirely. You shouldn't have to pay for the misfortune of being ill. Or at least make it a single charge however many items are on your scrip - so someone with asthma only pays once, however many items they need.

The medical exemptions are mish-mash without rhyme or reason. Of course thyroid disorders are serious, but for instance I get free scrips for my chronic health condition, dh also has a chronic health condition but has to pay.

Don't worry, we all do it! There would be no Mumsnet without massive assumptions (and crap telly).

Yes life isn't like a certain daytime soap Anne. One home visit and it's all good. If only it were that simple.

"I think thyroid disease is singled out by so many people because people seem to see it as not a serious condition. It is almost seen as an excuse trotted out for laziness, fatness etc."

I agree, the myth of thyroid disease being an excuse for laziness or obesity, etc. is perpetuated by the likes of the Daily Mail. It is convenient to kick a small minority (without a big voice). Try applying the same level of argument to pregnant women or pensioners and there would be uproar. This is bullying and we shouldn't stand for it.

Danger of death without proper medication is very serious in my opinion, luckily the NHS think that way too, that is why thyroid patients, like diabetes and epilepsy patients along with a whole host of other chronic debilitating illnesses, are given free prescriptions.

I am not given thyroxine and other meds to stop me being fat and feckless, but rather importantly to stop me from slipping into a coma and dying.

I'm a bit on the fence.
I (luckily) don't need my inhaler much so need a new one about once a year. so the prescription fee doesn't bother me much.
what I really would like to see, though is the true cost of the medicine. some are mindbogglingly expensive.

Why does it seem that thyroid disease is always the 'go to' illness to be held up as an example?

For me it's because I have knowledge of it. I can't speak for anyone else. And I certainly don't think of it as an excuse for laziness or fatness.

And again I don't begrudge anyone free prescriptions; I'm merely pointing out that other people have equally debilitating conditions (dd would also die without her drugs), that other people have conditions that leave them open to other health problems (again in dd's case, liver problems, kidney failure and respiratory issues) and have to pay and there is therefore lack of equality in the system.

I'm sorry if that makes you feel defensive.

Agreed, the medical exemptions list is a mish-mash and should be looked at again.

Since the list was put together there have been many discoveries of new diseases and medications that can help them. The list should not be limited to only those diseases that were in known about somewhen in the middle of the last centuary.

Though could some of the illnesses like Lupus, MS, EDS, etc. fall under
"A continuing physical disability which means the person cannot go out without the help of another person." ? Depends on your Dr's attitude I guess.

DameSaggarmakersbottomknocker - I am sorry about your DD's illness I truly am.

I believe that anyone with a life threatening illness should have life saving medications, aids, etc. made available to them for free ! The system is backward and behind the times, but there may be a loophole to use if you have an enlightened GP. See my previous message up thread.^^

Ridic, it went up last year already, didn't it? But I don't expect things for free.

Luckily my doctor's understanding (am starving student....well, sort of!) and prescribes me loads at a time- I'm set for the next three and a half months. My friend's still 18 and gets free prescriptions and dental checkups

And I have to add, I can afford it, and to be honest I don't really resent it, but I'm surprised that with all the fuss about £9k fees and whatnot, one thing hasn't led to another with students getting free or reduced rates on prescriptions. And also the friend I mentioned lives on an incredibly tight budget (think rent plus fees without a loan, 23 hours of lectures a week so part time job hard to find in our tiny town) and does rely on his meds and could not afford that amount regularly without going short on food and other essentials such as course materials. So I don't know what'll happen when he turns 19. Easy to fall through the net I'd say.

Thanks toasted.

Quirrel - that's the situation dd is in. She's turned 19, is a student, manages to work just a few hours a week but is considered too well off to qualify for an exemption on income grounds - student loan/grant and income amount to a couple of £ over the allowed weekly amount required for her to live on (which is about £55 or something )

dd's GP used to prescribe her 6 months worth of meds but the PCT put a stop to it.