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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
lalalalyra · 02/04/2018 17:56

It surely is time to have another look though.

I genuinely think the only thing that would happen would be that insulin dependant diabetics and those on thyroxine etc would also have to pay.

There's no way, especially in the current cost cutting climate, they are going to review it and add more people getting their drugs free to the list.

ArkAtEee · 02/04/2018 17:56

I have type 1 diabetes and other health issues and I agree it's not fair, inhalers should be free.

But I have to point out, a lot of type 2 diabetes isn't lifestyle induced, there is a big genetic element. Don't believe the poorly researched media articles.

only39p · 02/04/2018 17:58

I'm type 1. My insulin is a hormone I'd die without. I don't understand why I get everything else free though. Prob should be reviewed how it's all done.

Could be worse, we could be in America

lalalalyra · 02/04/2018 18:02

only It'd likely cost more, or at least would have done when the list was created, to work out what other things are directly related to your 'main' condition than to just make everything free. And policing that would be a cost - there's a lot of work in checking that those claiming free prescriptions/dental treatment are entitled to it, never mind checking that those entitled were entitled to the specific items.

HateTheDF · 02/04/2018 18:05

I have asthma and can't afford my prescriptions. I do work and am not entitled to any help at all.

Helspopje · 02/04/2018 18:05

My thyroid medication is private prescription only. Ho hum

MoonlightKissed · 02/04/2018 18:08

I don't really understand why thyroid medication is free either but I trust the system enough that there was good reason.
Because without treatment, thyroid can be at best life altering (sometimes it still is with treatment), and at worst actually fatal. Before there was thyroid treatment, many patients ended up in asylums, and even died.

And even I don't understand why that now grants me free antibiotics for an ingrowing toenail (for example).
Because many of the health problems that you get are related to the initial thyroid problem. The thyroid causes issues in the whole body. And even people taking thyroxine will still be affected by it. Thyroxine is not a complete cure for everyone.

I’d happily pay for all other prescriptions unrelated to hypothyroidism,
The problem with this is working out which problems are/aren't related to the thyroid. And who gets to agree whether they are or not? Many of the health issues suffered by thyroid patients are most definitely linked to their thyroid.

Putting aside the questions on thyroid, I do feel it's unfair that people with asthma don't get their prescriptions free once they reach adulthood. Definitely seems wrong. But I get what people are saying - opening this up would be a huge can of worms - who is entitled to prescriptions, and who isn't. And I think the NHS couldn't afford all those who are entitled, even tho it is unfair.

But the system needs a bit of rethinking. Take for example thyroid meds - most patients are only allowed one months worth of thyroxine at any one time. This has to be done on a repeat prescription every single month. Even though a review is only carried out by a doctor once a year. This seems odd to me - the gp doesn't look at the medical record, so why can't it be given out in less frequent measures - 3 monthly, for example. That would save time/money for many people.

Buxtonstill · 02/04/2018 18:20

Not all T2 is 'lifestyle induced'; and even if it is - How about the rugby player who breaks his neck? Shall he be refused treatment because he knew the risks before he played? Should we question anyone who has cancer, and if at anytime they smoked/drank coffee/ate red meat, then should they be refused medication/treatment?
You sound really judgey and bitter.

Violetroselily · 02/04/2018 18:26

Repeat prescriptions - what is the rationale for only giving out 1 or 2 months at a time? I get two months of levothyroxine at a time and the prescription is to be reviewed annually. Pretty much everyone else that I know with a repeat prescription for other medication also gets max 2 months supply at a time.

Is it a cost issue? I.e would it be too expensive for the NHS to give 12 months worth of medication for one prescription cost?

Dungeondragon15 · 02/04/2018 18:33

Is it a cost issue? I.e would it be too expensive for the NHS to give 12 months worth of medication for one prescription cost?

The longer the prescription course, the more chance of waste. Enough drugs are wasted as it is.

Makingdinner · 02/04/2018 18:33

No idea violet I'm only allowed one inhaler at a time even though my condition has remained unchanged for years so I can predict usage. Also it's not like it's painkillers i could sell on the black market. Inhalers are of no use to anyone else!

lalalalyra · 02/04/2018 18:33

Because many of the health problems that you get are related to the initial thyroid problem. The thyroid causes issues in the whole body. And even people taking thyroxine will still be affected by it. Thyroxine is not a complete cure for everyone.

There's also very little point paying for thyroxine or insulin for someone for x years and then they end up in hospital, or dying, because they can't afford the antibiotics for an ingrown toenail.

Violetroselily To save wasting medication. If you issue someone with 12 months of medication and then their dosage changes (especially if it goes down so you can't just add another tablet to it) or they have to be changed onto another medication then it's all wasted as it can't go back and be given to someone else.

lougle · 02/04/2018 18:35

The pre-payment certificate is £10.40 per month, which is £2.39 per week or £0.34 per day. Many people are struggling for money, but I think that most people could prioritise £0.34 per day in their budget towards life saving treatment.

Topiramate £5.50
Nortryptiline £11.00
Omeprazole £1.50
Frovatriptan £20.00
Sertraline £3.00
Vitamin D £5.00
Naproxen £1.20

Total £47.20

By paying £10.40 per month, I save £36.80, minimum, regardless of any acute illnesses that crop up, and I don't have to think twice about whether I should visit the GP if I'm ill, because I may be prescribed something - I've already paid, so if I need to go, I can.

Thesecondtoast · 02/04/2018 18:42

Cystic Fibrosis sufferers don't get free prescriptions Shock

'Today, the average life span for people with CF who live to adulthood is about 37 years.'

WTF Angry

SingleAgainThen · 02/04/2018 18:44

Sorry, the thyroid argument gave me the rage. My son has Cystic Fibrosis, without medication & medical intervention he would have died before his 5th birthday. His prescriptions (when he becomes an adult) are not free. It has nothing to do with how life-limiting your condition is.

I suffer from depression so have a pre-paid certificate to reduce the medication costs to a minimum.

My son, when he reaches 18, will also get a pre-paid certificate as his prescribed medication is extensive.

I am super grateful to the NHS for all that they have done for my son & will advise him to use some of his DLA allowance to pay for his annual prescription bill.

But severity / life limiting aspect of conditions does not come into it - at all!

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 02/04/2018 19:46

How do people NOT know abiut the pre payment card ? Whilst I don’t want the NHS to waste money they should bloody tell people Angry

Personalsituations99 · 02/04/2018 19:51

I had to take life long mediaction for bloodthinning because I had a mechanical heart valve. It I didn't I'd quite literally get a clot and die. No ifs or buts...
I still had to pay for my medication and yes that made me angry for the same reasons.

Luckily they changed my valve because the meds didn't agree with me anyway.
But I do think meds for life to save your life should be free.

SauvignonBlanche · 02/04/2018 20:05

Link for prepayment certificate here, you can pay in instalments.

Tequilamockinbird · 02/04/2018 20:08

I take beta-blockers to stop me having a heart attack. They aren't free but I only get 1 prescription every couple of months so not worth the pre-payment.

If I had a heart attack, I'd cost the NHS a lot more!

welshweasel · 02/04/2018 20:14

The sense of entitlement of some people is astounding. For £100 you can get unlimited medications for a whole year. Anything you get prescribed in hospital is already free. I really wish some of you would just consider how amazing it is that everyone in the country has access to such cheap medicines.

SluttyButty · 02/04/2018 20:23

I'd actually love to know what everyone's opinion is of us that have biologic treatment for autoimmune disease. These cost upwards of 10k per year per patient. We don't have to pay but there's a very strict criteria to get them. I'm eternally grateful for them myself but equally aware I cost the nhs a lot of money.

Etymology23 · 02/04/2018 20:24

BuggerOff

Students are actually assessed on their personal income, I believe (the NHS website appears to indicate this too) - they just have to fill in an HC1 form. Free dental treatment and opticians appointments too.

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions

“Low income, including students and pensioners.”

Izzadoraduncancan · 02/04/2018 20:30

Honestly.... come live in another country. We are charged the cost of our medicines and pay to see our GP (€50 a visit for an adult or child over 6 years). We pay €130 max per month in medicines - that's a calendar month. So if one child spends €60 on antibiotics on the 30 March and another child comes down with another illness on the 3rd of April - two lots of GP visits at €100 and up to €190 on medicine.
We pay for visits to A&E, visits to hospital etc....
Be grateful for your NHS!

ExFury · 02/04/2018 20:35

The age of the list explains the issue with conditions like CF. In 1968 years life expectancy with CF was vastly different. The only conditions on it are ones that had a life saving/life prolonging treatment available back then.

It's not about some conditions being seen as more needy or worthy now.

mrscampbellblackreturns · 02/04/2018 20:42

Sadly you end up having to pay out for many long term health conditions. My eldest child has type one diabetes and whilst his insulin is free and should remain so for the course of his life, we self fund his glucose monitoring (freestyle libre) which is roughly £100 per month. I would also not bank on any condition having free prescriptions in 20 years time.