Free prescriptions - did you know...

[ilove]

That if you have any of the conditions listed below, you are entitled to ALL of your prescriptions free, whether you work or not?

You can get all your NHS prescriptions free if you have a valid medical exemption certificate because you have:

a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngos-tomy or ileostomy) which needs continuous surgical dressing or an appliance;
a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential;
diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism;
diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone;
hypoparathyroidism;
myasthenia gravis;
myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement);
epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy;
a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person; or
cancer and are undergoing treatment for:
- cancer;
- the effects of cancer; or,
- the effects of cancer treatment.

You can only get a certificate if you have a condition on the list. If you are not sure about the name of your condition, check with your doctor. Doctors may advise you about free prescriptions. However, it is up to you to find out if you are entitled to an exemption certificate.

You get the form from your GP surgery and the exemption lasts for five years, when you then need to do a new form.

Hope this helps someone :)

[flossieflower]

The GP who diagnosed my hypothyroidism didn't tell me about getting free prescriptions, it wasn't until I moved area and changed GP that I was given the form so I agree- it isn't always made clear to you! The form has to be redone every ten years (I have recently discovered!).

[thewildrover]

Thanks for that.

Wish you could get one for Asthma. Inhalers cost a fortune.

[ilove]

I am hoping they bring it in for coeliacs too. Tisn't as though it is curable!

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Or you could lobby your MP to get rid of prescription charges like every where else in the UK.

When you factor in less admin/less ill folk because they couldn't/wouldn't pay for prescription it doesn't cost.

[iwantgin]

I have to take daily warfarin for life- and it's not on the exemption list.

[GlaceDragonflies]

Asthma should be on that list as well, my sister has three different asthma medications and it costs her a fortune.

[iwantgin]

glace does she use the pre payment prescription system.

I signed up for it - I think i pay £10.20 per month - and that covers all prescription charges.

[iwantgin]

This one prescription charges

[ilove]

iwantgin that's what I have had for the last four years - just cancelled it today and posted off my exemption forms

[iwantgin]

Ah right. :)

[Optimist1]

When a friend was given exemption for her diabetes medication I was just starting on a 5-year course of Tamoxifen. I was told that she didn't have to pay because it was a lifelong condition, whereas mine wasn't. I felt a bit meh about that.