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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not understand why some life saving medications are free and others aren't

247 replies

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 02/04/2018 16:11

Why on earth are inhalers and asthma medications not yet free on prescription but type 2 diabetics (lifestyle induced) get all of their medications for free?

This has been slowly getting to me as the years have gone on and I have a teen with asthma who, no matter how well controlled it is in the year, always ends up on steroids multiple times in the winter. I know they don't have to pay now but this is likely to be an issue as an adult for them and they will then have to pay, why? Why can type 2 diabetics not just get their diabetes medications free but ALL their medications but asthmatics can't even get essential life saving medications free?

AIBU to feel the rage on this?

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 02/04/2018 16:14

Because type two diabetes costs the nhs more if uncontrolled.

BillywigSting · 02/04/2018 16:16

I don't get it either op.

I have asthma that is poorly controlled because I can't afford my prescription charges. I'm a sahm because going back to work would make us worse off with childcare costs but dp doesn't earn that much.

We can't even afford a takeaway every now and then never mind the thirty odd pounds of prescription fees

SluttyButty · 02/04/2018 16:19

Billy do you not have a prepayment prescription card?That caps all scripts at £10.40 a month.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 02/04/2018 16:19

Pre-payment certificate costs £104 per year and covers you for all your medications. Cheaper than paying out each month.

nNina22 · 02/04/2018 16:20

Blood pressure medication isn't free either. Makes no sense at all.

Cornettoninja · 02/04/2018 16:20

Well I agree with you but I don't think there's any need to focus on the "lifestyle" induced bit. Comes across a bit bitter and nasty tbh.

It's got to be cost/benefit. I don't really understand why thyroid medication is free either but I trust the system enough that there was good reason.

I'd support a campaign to include asthma in free medications but I would rather effort went into only supplying the crucial medications themselves free e.g. Inhalers, epipens, insulin. There must be the technology to seperate them these days.

Rachiie · 02/04/2018 16:21

Billy - I'm a sahm because going back to work would make us worse off with childcare costs but dp doesn't earn that much.
Are you not entitled to free prescriptions if you don't earn? If not, you might be abe to get help towards them, think it's called a hs1 or hs2 certificate for low earners. You either get prescriptions/ dentist/etc free or at a reduced price I think.

Op- I personally think medicines should only be free for things specifically related to the condition. E.g. for diabetes your insulin or whatever but not antibiotics or stuff like that. That would save money to make inhalers/ steroids free for asthmatics too.
Or maybe stop the £8 whatever charge and just do something like 50p per item regardless of age or medical condition.

IvorHughJarrs · 02/04/2018 16:23

It's very simple.

When the NHS was set up there were only a few conditions that could be treated with medication. It was set in the conditions of the NHS that people with those conditions e.g. epilepsy, low thyroid, diabetes would get their treatments free.

Since then better diagnosis, more medications and treatments have revolutionised healthcare and life expectancy but the initial NHS guidelines have never been changed other than to add exemptions for cancer patients some years back

Anyone needing 2 items a month or more can buy a 3 or 12 month prepayment certificate which is far more cost effective than paying per item. It is also worth noting that many items cost far more than the £8.60 we pay, my inhaler is not far short of £30 cost price so without the NHS subsidising it I would be far worse off

Ollivander84 · 02/04/2018 16:24

It does seem odd. If I don't take my meds then I'm severely immunosuppressed and at high risk of neutropenic sepsis which would cost a lot more!

LegallyBrunet · 02/04/2018 16:24

I don’t understand how they decide it either. I’m epileptic so get free prescriptions for which I am very grateful as my monthly prescription would cost nearly £60 and that’s just for anti-convulsants which as a student I just can’t afford and I need the meds to live a normal life. However a good friend of me and my boyfriend has cystic fybrosis which will kill him and has to get a pre-payment card because he can’t get free prescriptions. I do feel very guilty about that whenever it comes up in conversation

PersianCatLady · 02/04/2018 16:25

The other ridiculous thing is that some medicines like antibiotics cost pennies and other medicines cost many pounds and yet the cost is always £8.60

lalalalyra · 02/04/2018 16:26

Because asthma inhalers weren't commonly available when the list of conditions/medications that are free was created.

The list of exempt conditions was created in 1968. It was part of the review on prescription medication and controls on medications after the thalidomide scandal. It hasn't been reviewed or changed since. The list only contains long-term conditions for which "life saving regular treatment" was avilable in 68.

The first pump asthma inhaler was made in the USA in 1956 (and the first ones caused more problems than they fixed) so they weren't included.

only39p · 02/04/2018 16:28

Not all cases of type 2 are lifestyle induced.

piercinggelo · 02/04/2018 16:28

England are so far behind the rest of the UK with prescriptions. Makes me so mad.

reallybadidea · 02/04/2018 16:29

There is no political will to change the list of exemptions (which is more or less identical to that drawn up in 1968). Don't try looking for logical reasons why blood pressure medication is chargeable and thyroxine isn't, because logic doesn't come into it.

NewYearNewMe18 · 02/04/2018 16:30

type 2 diabetics (lifestyle induced)

And how would you discern between those which are 'lifestyle induced' and those which aren't ?

BalloonSlayer · 02/04/2018 16:30

It's because some are chronic illnesses and some aren't.

You can grow out of asthma (DH did).

BobbinThreadbare123 · 02/04/2018 16:30

The list of exempt conditions was decided in 1968. The govt did a study on cost to change a few years ago and it'd be something like £400m+ each year to add the other conditions, so they decided to recommend the prepay certificate. We don't have the same illnesses as we did 50 years ago; not as many people had asthma or Crohn's etc - probably due to less sophisticated screening and diagnosis for many diseases but there it is. Also, for a lot of people, asthma comes and goes with seasons. We're also a rapidly ageing population and they get free medications, so we pay for that too. I have a prepay certificate; if I didn't I would be skint every six weeks for all the meds I need.

HobnobBob · 02/04/2018 16:32

I’m extremely grateful my thyroid medication is free, I have to take it every day for life. But I don’t understand why asthmatics have to pay for their inhalers. Where do you draw the line though, there is so much that could be free it would cost the NHS a fortune.

Original poster
BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 02/04/2018 16:33

It's not jealousy it's anger that something that for the majority of people is lifestyle induced get all their prescriptions free but people who have no control over whether they get a condition or not - like asthma or cystic fibrosis - get charged left right and centre

OP posts:
NewYearNewMe18 · 02/04/2018 16:33

Are you not entitled to free prescriptions if you don't earn? If not, you might be abe to get help towards them, think it's called a hs1 or hs2 certificate for low earners. You either get prescriptions/ dentist/etc free or at a reduced price I think.

I never have been, there have been periods where I have been a SAHP, between jobs, temping etc and I've never been offered free/reduced prescriptions.

lalalalyra · 02/04/2018 16:35

I never have been, there have been periods where I have been a SAHP, between jobs, temping etc and I've never been offered free/reduced prescriptions.

You have to apply. And if your husband has a decent income you might not qualify. I can't remember the limit.

GrockleBocs · 02/04/2018 16:36

It really isn't about chronic illnesses Balloon. I have 2 that will be with me forever. Neither attracts free prescriptions.

IvorHughJarrs · 02/04/2018 16:50

Prescriptions and how to fund them is a poisoned chalice as any government trying to change anything would face a huge backlash from anyone who had to contribute for something they previously got free.

Huge numbers of wealthy pensioners currently get free medicines but means testing would cost more than it would save, people who don't pay for medicines often don't value them and stockpile, share with others, etc yet putting even a small charge per item would cause an outcry and who could draw the line between lifestyle inflicted ailments (not all cancers are caused by smoking, not all diabetes T2 is in people who are overweight and eat badly, knee replacements could be needed in those who have exercised more, etc)
Unless there is a will to increase tax and give more free of charge, being aware that this will lead to more waste and abuse of the system, there is no easy answer. The whole thing is a nightmare to solve

EggysMom · 02/04/2018 16:50

I have to take thyroid medication for the rest of my life. And even I don't understand why that now grants me free antibiotics for an ingrowing toenail (for example).