What happens if you can't afford your medication?

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I can btw, this is not a begging thread, but I'm taking the money from my savings, and I don't always have money in my savings, which has got me pondering.

If I didn't have savings and my asthma medication ran out, is there a scheme where I can buy now, pay later, or is it a case of risking death or needing A&E?

Are there any other life-saving medications you have to pay for, or is it just asthma? I know my mum gets free prescriptions because she needs thyroid medication, but that doesn't seem as serious or life-threatening as asthma to me.

What's the criteria for a medication being free, and why doesn't it seem to make sense?

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-help-health-costs

Check here in case you’re eligible for any help.

I believe you can get cheaper prescriptions if you need a lot of medication by pre-payment, as below you can get all your prescriptions for a single charge for 3 months or 12 months.

Current Prescription Charges (England)

• Per Item: £9.90.
• 3-Month PPC: £32.05.
• 12-Month PPC: £114.50.

Or possibly free if you are on a low income

• On low income (through the NHS Low Income Scheme).
• Receiving specific benefits (like Universal Credit or Pension Credit

Because there are a lot of exemptions

Around 89% of prescriptions in England are already dispensed free of charge to children, the over 60s, pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions. This freeze will not impact that scheme.

In addition to the freeze on charges, the NHS Low Income Scheme offers help with prescription payments, with free prescriptions for eligible people in certain groups such as pensioners, students and those who receive state benefits or live in care homes.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cost-of-living-boost-for-millions-as-prescription-charges-frozen

I'm on four types a month and have a 3 monthly prepayment cert, its about £33

What a silly little response. If they are on the breadline to this extent they can apply for the nhs low income scheme which gives free prescriptions.

op are you in this bracket, if so then google and apply.

Also the low income scheme which means they get it free,

You can pay for a prepayment certificate. It costs £114 a year and you can pay for it by direct debit over 10 mnths so £11.40 for 10mnths. It covers all your prescriptions regular and any you need in addition.
If you only have 1 prescription drug a month it may be cheaper to pay up front but if you have two prescription drugs a month then you’ll save money.

Google NHS PPC and you can apply online.

There are some conditions that qualify you for free prescriptions but asthma is not one of them. If you have had cancer you are entitled to free prescriptions for five years from diagnosis but this has to be applied for through your GP surgery.
If you are on low income but don’t qualify for free prescriptions automatically you could try applying for low income help with prescriptions and dental treatment. Just Google LIS ( low income scheme) or HC1 form, again you can apply online or request a form to complete by hand.

Or, there is something wrong with a system which means someone who can’t afford £10 for a prescription still has to pay for it.

If you are on a low enough income to not be able to afford it, then you can apply for free prescriptions. If the assessment says that you don’t qualify, then you need to budget for it.

I do think you might need to look at your budgeting.

when I need a prescription for my inhaler (fostair) my doctor puts two on the prescription so I only pay one prescription fee. I am not a very regular user though so maybe she’s saving me the bother of asking again in 6 months 🤷🏻‍♀️

Typical underhand political thread.

‘Silly little response’ 😁

I've recently turned 60 and got quite excited about free prescriptions!

Prior to that my prescription was for 2 months so I had 2 x salbutamol = one line item so only ever paid £9.50 for the two. Maybe you could ask your asthma nurse to adjust your prescription?

I use a prepayment certificate and it saves me a fortune.

It seems shortsighted to me that people have to pay. Surely, it costs more in the longrun when people can't afford it and end up in A&E or needing a hospital stay?

And I still don't understand why some prescriptions are free because they're classed as ongoing and chronic or whatever thyroid meds are classed as, and some, like inhalers and EpiPens, aren't. It just doesn't make sense.

I appreciate the budgeting suggestions, but if my inhalers ran out and I didn't have a tenner, I'd borrow one of my dad's blue ones until I could afford one. It's more of a mindlessly pondering thread than a call for help.

Also, I get the red inhalers, not the blue ones. I take it twice a day, and as needed as a reliever, but I really only need it twice a day, unless I have a cold or flu. I can only get a prescription for the blue ones on an as-and-when-needed basis if I'm ill and taking my red one more than 4 times a day.

Depends what meds you need. Many are free in England - insulin, contraception, anything prescribed at A&E, any meds for epilepsy, a stoma, cancer, diabetes, hypothyroidism.

Weirdly my eczema medication is free.

@opyour mothers thyroid condition could kill her. The thyroid controls metabolism which is the processes necessary for LIFE by turning food into energy.

I think if you heed it then you prioritise this £9.50. Use it to buy at the start of the month before just about anything else. There is a Low Income Scheme - have you inquired about that? Do you receive benefits? You may he eligible for free prescriptions.

Historically I believe things like diabetes and hypothyroidism were given free prescriptions was because they are treated with replacement hormones, not drug treatments.

Oh, right. I thought you were hammering your reliever with no preventer. Maybe the pre-payment option will work better for you then? It would take off the load of worrying, and sharing meds with your Dad which will hide your need to the doctor and leave your Dad short.

On your broader point of how asthmatics are left out of safety nets afforded to those with other chronic illnesses, yes, I completely agree.

I pay for a pre paid certificate for the year and it's the best money I've spent.
I think you can pay, not annually. Sorry brain malfunctioning I can't think how to say it correctly 🫣

Scotland has free prescriptions

I take it that's sarcasm?

Can you ask them to double your prescription up? I get two of the same inhalers every month but still only pay £9.50? So I now have a few spares

I t would cost the OP more, if she only needs 1item per month