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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think you shouldn't have to pay for that?

139 replies

vapourtrail · 15/03/2018 14:24

I am in my early forties and after going through all the symptoms I recently went to the doctor for a blood test and was told that I was experiencing early menopause.
I was upset enough at this news as it was, then the Dr said that I would have to go on HRT as I would need the extra oestrogen for healthy bones. She said it wasn't really an option for someone in my position, going through it so early. I have no problems with this, and would actually welcome some hormones in my life. So off I went with my prescription.
At the chemist the pharmacist asked me if I was taking it for contraceptive or HRT and I said HRT. She said, ok if it was for contraceptive it would be free but for HRT I would have to pay for it. Am I BU for thinking that it should be free? I am going to have to be on this for maybe the next 20 years. If I was using it for sex, which, let's face it, is a choice, it would be free. But if I take it to stop my bones crumbling away then it isn't! And to top it all the pharmacist told me that it actually counted as a double prescription so charged my £17 for it!!
If this was a male thing I am sure this wouldn't be the case which makes me all Angry as it feels like another woman tax. Aibu?

OP posts:
Fe2O3Girl · 15/03/2018 14:27

YABU.

There are lots of conditions that people need to take long term medication for and they have to pay prescription fees.

Eolian · 15/03/2018 14:29

I am on permanent medication for high blood pressure. I didn't choose to have high bp but I still have to pay for my prescriptions.

DGRossetti · 15/03/2018 14:31

Well you can get a Pre Pay Certificate to ease the burden, but YANBU.

Personally, as someone on lifelong meds who has to pay for them, I think they should be exempt - although I'd happily pay for the odd course of antibiotics if i needed them.

DW has just had her monthly assemblage of meds delivered. 18 items .... nearly £200 worth. However she has a medical exemption certificate.

StealthPolarBear · 15/03/2018 14:31

I do see your point. But as a contraceptive the theory is it pays for itself in preventing spend on delivery and babies

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/03/2018 14:32

YABU. Everything simply can’t be given away for free imo.

Eltonjohnssyrup · 15/03/2018 14:32

Have you got a prepay prescription card?

It’s not free but it reduces it a lot.

SleepFreeZone · 15/03/2018 14:33

I can sort of understand you’re point and yet as a working person you are expected to pay for prescriptions. I’m assuming you can buy it online?

DontDrinkDontSmoke · 15/03/2018 14:33

Move to Scotland, prescriptions are free here.

SleepFreeZone · 15/03/2018 14:33

*can’t

MereDintofPandiculation · 15/03/2018 14:36

My GP was amenable to giving me longer prescriptions for another med, 3 months rather than 1 month, in order to cut down prescription costs.

IveGotBillsTheyreMultiplying · 15/03/2018 14:37

Asthma isn't a choice and inhalers aren't free. However, hospital care and lost work days are expensive if people don't take medication, so maybe they should be.

Original poster
vapourtrail · 15/03/2018 14:39

Oh sorry, I thought that if you had a long term condition you did get it for free! My mum had a thyroid problem and she got the medication for that for free so I assumed that was the case for all long term conditions! Ok, in that case I'll be cross on behalf of everyone on long term meds but in the meantime l will pay my £17 and take my pills with better grace Smile

OP posts:
Cornishclio · 15/03/2018 14:39

I have to pay for hypertension medication regularly so I don't see why you should not have to pay for yours. My brother has MS and has to pay for his. A prepayment certificate would limit it to just over £100 over the year I think.

KarmaStar · 15/03/2018 14:40

Definitely worth buying a prepaid certificate if you are going to be spending more than £12 a month on prescriptions.I appreciate that I'm not answering your question,I'm just trying to help

GoldenHefalump · 15/03/2018 14:40

Just answer the question as 'contraceptive' the next time you go.

prideofaberdeen · 15/03/2018 14:40

I wonder if you would have questioned the need to pay if she hadn't said it was free if it had been for contraceptive purposes? Contraception is free for a very good reason. Other meds need to be paid for, sadly, though of course it would be better if all prescriptions were free. Get the prepay card and ask about longer prescription periods to reduce the cost. It's the best you can do.

Cornishclio · 15/03/2018 14:41

Why doesn't your mum have to pay for her thyroid medication? Is she over 60 as I know mine is free from then as well?

Rawhh · 15/03/2018 14:41

Just get a prepayment certificate. I would be at worst dead at best blind without my meds however I have to pay for them.

It doesn't seen fair however thus is the world we Live in.

I am just grateful I am not in the US where those without insurance (usually because they can't get it) have to pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars a month to stay alive.

NickyNora · 15/03/2018 14:41

HRT isn't contraception...
Have you bee prescribed the Pill or HRT?

I'm in the same situation as you. Unlikely you would need to use HRT for 20 yrs!

You don't have to use HRT. There are alternatives.

CombineBananaFister · 15/03/2018 14:41

It does seem daft that you have to pay for it for one reason but not for another, either pay for both reasons or not at all
It is a bizarre system - e.g. diabetic - free. Asthmatic - pay. Both medications are necessary.
I can't get many of things on the NHS for my son's longterm health condition so it does cost us a lot each month (£100) the things I do get I am truly grateful for. Its frustrating though to have to fight for funding/grants for items that have a massive impact on his everday life
.But, Better to only have to pay the prescription charges than an alternative health care service where you have to pay full whack.

Eltonjohnssyrup · 15/03/2018 14:44

I presume you don’t want any more children as you don’t mention fertility. If that’s the case, surely it is also contraceptive in purpose so should be free? Even if the risk is small?

FullLaundryBasket · 15/03/2018 14:47

Yabu

Linnet · 15/03/2018 14:49

cornishclio, my mum didn’t have to pay for her thyroid medications either. It’s a lifelong condition so was exempt from prescription charges. Although I always wondered then why people were charged for asthma medications or heart pills as they can also be lifelong conditions.

Lethaldrizzle · 15/03/2018 14:49

Go to a different chemist and lie Wink

MarthaArthur · 15/03/2018 14:50

cornishclio my thyroid failed years ago and i was given meds. Thankfully it kick started again (i dont know how) but i was told if it was underactive at my next test ny medication for life would be free. I was 19 or 20 at the time.