To be really irritated when people get medication (calpol etc) on prescription

[CeCeBloomer]

When they can easily afford to buy it. I am not talking about those that can't afford to buy them. The NHS has limited funds, surely those who are better off should show some social responsibility and buy their own medicines, freeing up essential funds - not brag about what they managed to get free

Well yes the dr shouldn't prescribe it.

i dont think they give it out on prescription anymore, and if they did then it will cost people more in prescription charges than it does to buy OTC

How often have you actually seen this happen OP, because I tend to think stories like this are about trying to show the NHS as feckless and giving out all sorts of unnecessary things for free, when in practice, it either doesnt happen, or hardly ever

YANBU. I always take my own calpol into hospital for the dc's too. Although that's partly because the hospital have that own brand sugar free stuff which tastes horrible and it's hard enough getting nice tasting meds into them when they are ill.

I have been offered prescriptions - I turned it down, one of my friends was bragging about what she had got 'free' this morning

YANBU. My doctor once tried to issue me a prescription for ibuprofen tablets - until I pointed out that I pay for my prescriptions, so it would cost me £8+ for something I could get for 30p from the supermarket.

branleuse I'm a gp and I have a parent asking for this on average once a day. More over winter with coughs and colds. I don't always give it but it depends on the parent. Which probably isn't fair at all if I'm honest.

Some schools will only give capol if it has been prescribed so my son who some needs regular pain relief, had to have it on prescription when he was in mainstream.

I remember my doctors prescribed me some ibuprofen gel for my muscles.

I had to pay for my prescriptions at the point.

I didn't bother. I bought a cheaper brand for £3 cheaper

Agreed, but then again I have only ever heard people on here saying other people have been prescribed calpol and the like by drs or hospitals. I don't go to the drs regularly and have only been to hospital mostly when I was young with a few medical things and as an adult whilst pregnant. I have not once ever been prescribed something you could very easily buy at a pharmacy. Not once! I have been advised what I could buy when going to the drs if there was a need. I was given a few pain killers after given birth by a midwife, but that's standard isn't it? I've only ever been prescribed antibiotics and more recently strong iron tablets.

What did your friends child get that was free op ? Liquid painkiller I dont see the issue if her child is in pain then why not

I do think fair enough for parents who genuinely would find it difficult to find the£3-4 for a bottle. I would much rather they had a free bottle of calpol than the child suffer from a bad headaches or cold etc.

But I don't know how you can means test it as prescriptions for children are free anyway so for the sake of a few greedy/stingy parents who get it because they can and want something for free, hopefully those in need benefit the most.

Are you sure it's not because of the school?

Once kids hit 6 paracetamol cab be given in tablets. You cab get those fir pennies no one should be being prescribed them (unless it's to get round any pharmacists refusing to sell particular size boxes or because the pharmacists aren't permitted to sell alongside other meds they are on)

There's no need for calpol anyway it's no different to a generic paracetamol solution people should stop paying twice the price for it when own brands are exactly the same

Same with head lice treatment. I'd rather a few people who can afford it but are too tight got it free so that the majority of those that can't afford it can get it on prescription and hopefully stop it being so widespread in schools.

If this is really costing the NHS a lot (Did I read £10 per prescription?) then they need to stop doing it or find a way to make that cheaper.

if they did then it will cost people more in prescription charges than it does to buy OTC

If you need to use calpol, chances are you don't pay for your prescription, so it would cost more to buy it themselves.

You don't get actual capol anyway. It's parapead or similar. My nearest chemist won't sell you anything other than capol although they stock the cheaper stuff for prescription use.

Anyone who doesn't have to pay for their prescriptions is entitled to free necessary meds (nit care, worming medicine, calpol etc.) from the chemist via the 'Care at the Chemist' scheme. This includes pretty much all children under 16. I (happily) pay 40 per cent tax and avail myself of this for the kids, in the same way that I use an NHS doctor and dentist and state schools, although I could afford private (at a push). The NHS is not struggling because of this but because of a lack of political prioritization and it being asked to pick up the pieces when there is insufficient social care.

I don't think it's a good idea for the middle classes opt out of the welfare state as they then lose a stake in it, e.g. resenting paying taxes for the NHS because they have private health insurance (look at what is happening with Obamacare in the States.)

I felt a bit weird asking for it but my son went to a CM for a few months last year and he had to have a bottle with his name on from the GP as per her rules, just in case he ever needed it. I didn't like to ask though!

We used to get Aveeno cream for DD's eczema on prescription when I was on unpaid mat leave.

Now that I am back at work I usually just buy it, but if I go to the GP for something (very rare) I will ask for a prescription for it. Because it's bloody expensive but it's the only thing that works

Ds got prescribed calpol and ibuprofen the other night at gp ooh. I binned the prescription and just brought it. It's only £3 odd per bottle I just don't see the point in a prescription?!

I do honestly wonder what sort of life children are leading of their parents can't afford £2 for a bottle of calpol when they are ill.

psrt of being a parent is being able to provide for their basic needs. Not needing to wait at the Dr and get a prescription to avoid paying for something at Boots.

That is a bit dramatic a parent takes their child to the Gp for earache Gp says it is an infection or teething give a bottle of paracetamol prescription is hardly neglectful parenting is it,

The doctor tried to give me a free prescription for both calpol and ibuprofen just two days ago, I declined and bought it myself. This was for my 3 year old. It does happen all the time.

That's a little unfair Astley. My partner and I are on a low income and sometimes have literally pennies left in the few days leading up to payday. My son has a clean and comfortable home and is fed and well cared for, but if he came home with a temparature today I'd need to use prescription or minor ailments to get him calpol.

If I have money on me I'd buy it rather than wasting a doctor's time and resources for the sake of a few pounds, but not everyone has spare money on them all the time when something unexpected comes up.

I also used to live in a really rural area, I had access to a doctor there but not a shop that sold calpol. It would have meant an hour round trip and about a tenner on bus fare plus the cost of the calpol.