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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

About my Gp and prescriptions?

36 replies

Memoo · 17/01/2011 11:07

I am taking four items of medication that I will most probably have to take for the next few years but my gp will only give me a prescription for 1 month at a time so it is costing a small fortune.

Apparently this is common practice and they are just following Nhs guidelines but it seems to me that it's a very good way of them making more money.

Why can't they give a couple of months worth at a time?

OP posts:

pommedeterre · 17/01/2011 11:08

You can get a certificate that costs £28 and gives you free prescriptions for a year.
I'm going to eb doing it soon as my mat exemption card runs out in March and I am on medication for life and only get 1-2 months at a rime...

LadyThumb · 17/01/2011 11:08

It will be cheaper in the long run to buy an Annual Subscription for your meds - can save quite a bit, I understand.

Punkatheart · 17/01/2011 11:13

...or if your meds are life-threatening...for your thyroid for example...you may get a complete exemption for all your prescriptions...depending on where in the Uk you live. Some places have different rules.

Are they giving you regular blood tests on the meds? If so, that's why they can't give a lot at a time.

Hope you work out a cheaper option.

Original poster

Memoo · 17/01/2011 11:13

Ok so I am being a bit dim then! You'd think the receptionist at the gp's would have mentioned it when I was discussing it with her.

OP posts:

Original poster

Memoo · 17/01/2011 11:17

The meds aren't life saving as such but I would be very ill without them. I have bloods done every 2 months but at a different time from when I pick up my script

OP posts:

tyler80 · 17/01/2011 11:18

I get free prescriptions and they still only give you 28 days (not even a month!). Given that it takes 48 hours to request a repeat prescription, more if it's over a weekend or bank holiday you almost need to request the next one as your collecting the first.

tyler80 · 17/01/2011 11:20

It's 104 quid for a years certificate too, 28 only gets you 3 months

kreecherlivesupstairs · 17/01/2011 11:23

But also, bear in mind, the cost of the drugs could only be a fraction of what you pay. OTOH, they could be a lot more of what you pay. If you can find out how much they actually cost rather than the prescription charge, your GP may give you a private script.

faverolles · 17/01/2011 11:25

You can buy a pre-payment certificate which is (iirc) £104 for the year. (it works out cheaper than paying for 4 or more prescriptions a month)
If you have a condition which needs regular monitoring (and twice monthly blood tests will count), then it's unlikely they'll let you have more than your normal monthly prescription.
Not all longterm conditions will mean that you are entitled to free prescriptions. I have asthma - without my drugs it would definitely be life threatening, but I don't qualify.

Punkatheart · 17/01/2011 11:27

...the rules are silly, I agree faverolles....some heart conditions are not covered either.....

I think the pre-paid option may well be the best one.

YankNCock · 17/01/2011 11:28

I've just signed up for the PPC again, it is £104 for a year and you can pay in 10 installments by direct debit.

tyler80 · 17/01/2011 11:28

With prescription charges around 7 quid in England, you only need to be paying two per month to make prepayment cheaper.

zipzap · 17/01/2011 11:47

As well as getting your annual pre-payment card sorted out, it is worth seeing if your doctor is signed up for the automatic repeat prescription service that lots of chemists offer - especially if there is a chemist that you regularly use.

It's really convenient - you just sign the back of the prescription and they reorder everything you need each time - plus they typically reorder it a couple of weeks in advance so there is a safety net, drugs will be there and ready for you at your convenience without needing to go to the doc for a repeat prescription - either seeing them for an appointment or having the faff of going there, dropping off a form and going back a day or two later to pick it up.

If the gp wants to see you about anything they usually just stick a note on the prescription when you pick it up but if you are going to the surgery regularly anyway for tests at a different time from getting your prescription they know that you will be in for those regardless so shouldn't be a problem.

Plus if you choose a big chain chemist like boots it means if you have a problem with meds or loose some or go away and forget, all your details are in the computer and you can go in and get a few days worth of tablets for significantly less hassle than finding a local gp! Or ring up and ask questions, add something on (eg if you have something every other time like an inhaler but you use it a bit more than usual so you do need an extra one this time)

Can you tell I have found this service really handy in the past!

ilovecrisps · 17/01/2011 11:49

rules are daft CF isn't covered unless you get diabetes then everything is free.

GP wont be making any money unless they are dispensing, I think it is guidelines probably to prevent waste and cut fraud for my dcs prescriptions I do pretty much put in for a repeat when I get the previous one IYSWIM I can't run out of the stuff!

ZillionChocolate · 17/01/2011 11:50

Boots also offer an incentive for signing up - I had extra advantage card points but I've also seen them giving away no7 gifts when you join.

tyler80 · 17/01/2011 11:54

I know I got extra clubcard points for signing up with Tesco. My gp doesn't do the automatic prescription thing but it's a lot easier to request a week in advance when I do my shopping than try and deal direct with the doctors.

tyler80 · 17/01/2011 11:54

Original poster

Memoo · 17/01/2011 11:55

You lot are fab! Have just filled out the form for the PPC and its going to be £10 a month by DD rather than the £28 a month my meds are costing me at the moment.

I will sign up for automatic repeat prescription too. I'm really rubbish at odrering, especially as my GP's won't take them over the phone, so always end up leaving it to the last minute.

OP posts:

BreconBeBuggered · 17/01/2011 11:56

My GP's surgery gives out prescriptions that last for eight weeks. DH and I both take more than one type of medication and we're always wondering whether to gamble on the yearly certificate as we'd be better off if we needed any other medicine throughout the year.

We're in England. Just wanted to make the point that GPs aren't forced to only give out 28 days' worth at a time.

ivykaty44 · 17/01/2011 11:56

If your meds are for your thyroid - it is only free for hypothyroid and not free for hyperthyroidism...

snowmash · 17/01/2011 11:59

Mine gives out three months worth...

sherby · 17/01/2011 12:00

I don't get prescription charges at all.
I have mat exemption, last month I lost my meds whilst away and went into the tesco pharmacy to see if they could tide me over for a few days.

The pharmacist said the tablets were so cheap that it wasn't worth just giving me a few but would sell me 28 days worth for just over £2. Which he did.

But then another time a different pharmacist has made me pay the full prescription charge (even with mat exemption) for 3 of the same tablets (when I forgot to take my tablets away with me)

Original poster

Memoo · 17/01/2011 12:10

Just been googling and I can buy my meds privately for lest than £1 for each item and yet the NHS charges me £7.20 per item

OP posts:

Original poster

Memoo · 17/01/2011 12:10

less not lest

OP posts:

FooffyShmoofer · 17/01/2011 12:14

It is, I believe, dependant on what you are taking. I am on Thyroxine and receive 3 months at a time whereas my DHs medication, due to the nature of what it is, can only be prescribed 1 month at a time.

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