Prescription charges for over 60s

[herewegogc]

Just found out that there is a government consultation going on about this. The aim is to raise the age for free prescriptions to the state pension age. Ends on 1st September. AIBU to be unhappy that this is being done by stealth? Or have I missed the massive publicity campaign? Fill in the consultation here: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/aligning-the-upper-age-for-nhs-prescription-charge-exemptions-with-the-state-pension-age

My DH turned 60 last month. I turn 60 next month. Until I opened this thread of us knew that we would get free prescriptions when we turned 60 so we won't miss them!

It seems fair enough that it should be linked to pension age but then we are reasonably well off and both very healthy so don't need regular medications. (Touch wood!).

MN "if you go and eat crisps on a bench you are a granny killer. What if an older person catches Covid because of you. Over 60s are a high risk group"
Also MN. "over 60s dont need free prescriptions They are too young"

I think everyone should pay for prescriptions with no exceptions. Fairer basis then and the token cost often goes no where near the actual cost but it at least recoups some back to the NHS. There are yearly pre paid if bulk medicines are needed

Then you had better get ready for a new bacterial infection which will make Covid look like a walk in the park. You dont create a health by putting barriers in the way of medication. If poorer ppl have to pay for this they will be less likely to be able to pay for things like fuel. Amplified if you are on a pre payment meter= no electric no hot water, = no basic hygiene = possible spread of illness. Be very careful what you wish for.

And this thread is yet another example of the fact that the community rhetoric that is constantly being spewed out over Covid is BULLSHIT!

I wonder if the people on this thread who think that over 60s should pay, would say the same if the discussion was about stopping free prescriptions for under 18s. Plenty of children have affluent parents who could afford to pay.

That's a genuine question, by the way, not an attempt at a 'gotcha'.

@SquirryTheSquirrel I don't think it would have anything like the same economic impact & also think you can't penalise dc because they may have parents that can afford prescriptions but not buy the medication. Plus those children will be unlikely to see a state pension or free prescriptions ever.

I don't see the problem with 60 yr olds who can afford prescriptions paying for them.

@midgemagneto Society only counts when it comes to Covid , lockdowns masks and Covid vaccines.

Anything else you wont see its backside for dust.

" 60 per cent were to people aged 60 and over, about five per cent were for young
people (under 16 or aged 16-18 and in full-time education)."

Society only counts when it comes to Covid , lockdowns masks and Covid vaccines.

I want a society where healthcare is free to those who can't pay so those that can need to pay more.

"Was it not just a year ago or less people were screaming at each other to put their entire lives on hold to save the elderly and stay locked down to save them as the most affected?

Now no one gives a flying fuck if their state pension is cut or they get charged for prescriptions?!

The absolute truth is you wanted lockdowns to suit yourselves so you didn't have to go to work be it furlough or wfh. No one cared about the greater good at all"

THIS!

[quote rottd]@SquirryTheSquirrel I don't think it would have anything like the same economic impact & also think you can't penalise dc because they may have parents that can afford prescriptions but not buy the medication. Plus those children will be unlikely to see a state pension or free prescriptions ever.

I don't see the problem with 60 yr olds who can afford prescriptions paying for them. [/quote]
It would be interesting to see the respective economics for different demographics.

If parents who could afford prescriptions were so negligent as not to get them, would making them free make any difference?

Income-related exemptions could still apply.

My personal view is that exemptions should be means-tested for everyone, although I do see that it might be difficult to administer.

Also, the whole subject is rather farcical given that Wales and Scotland have free prescriptions for all.

I'm in my fifties and agree with it. If you need a lot of prescriptions you can pay £10.79 per month for as many as you need. Anyone who has retired early can afford it. Anyone on benefits gets free ones anyway. Free prescriptions in other parts of the UK has meant cutting certain cancer drugs. It seems insane to me to give out free prescriptions to wealthy people then deny drugs for life threatening illnesses.

under 18s only account for 5% vs 60% in the over 60s

so @SquirryTheSquirrel financially it won't make a huge difference.

Good idea & long overdue.

@rottd

so *@SquirryTheSquirrel* financially it won't make a huge difference.

Fair enough, thanks for the info.

One of the reasons that the age for free prescriptions needs to be raised is precisely because the country shut down during lockdown.

More money is needed to replenish the budgets that were used to support furlough and building ( unnecessary) hospitals and handing out Test and Trace contracts to mates.

Every means to save money needs to be looked at. If that includes not paying for prescriptions for those who can afford it, then personally can't see the problem with that.

I'm 61 and thinks it's a joke that everyone gets free prescriptions at 60 regardless of circumstances. Ditto free travel (in London anyway)

I heard on the radio that 5m are on NHS waiting lists with that figure set to increase

@Mum6457

I'm in my fifties and agree with it. If you need a lot of prescriptions you can pay £10.79 per month for as many as you need. Anyone who has retired early can afford it. Anyone on benefits gets free ones anyway. Free prescriptions in other parts of the UK has meant cutting certain cancer drugs. It seems insane to me to give out free prescriptions to wealthy people then deny drugs for life threatening illnesses.

Exactly that. And if there was any way of avoiding free prescriptions for people of pensionable age (I’m 68), I’d sign up for it. My free prescriptions are completely unnecessary.

I am over 60. And I think its absolutely ridiculous that as a full time working person, I can have free prescriptions. I actually laughed at the chemist the first time I got one😊 if you work you should pay

@TalbotAMan

"See this is all well and good, but my DD20 suffers severe asthma, and also needs quite a few prescriptions to keep her alive. She's a student and has not been able to afford to pick up some of these medications immediately, having to wait to be paid or asking if I can transfer her some."

I'm not defending that state of affairs. I think there is a very strong case for rolling back prescription charges either completely or to minimal levels. This thread is about the government seeking to extend them on the quiet.

That said, someone in her situation should have an annual certificate.

Someone in your daughter's position could apply for a HC2 - my daughter did when she was a student she just had to declare her income and what she had in her bank accounts, what her outgoings were etc. She didn't pay for prescriptions the whole time she was uni. I'm surprised more students don't apply. It was not based on my income at all

Mercy you keep going on about covid and crisps and granny killers. You do realise that a lot of people didn’t think like that. People over 60 should pay if they can afford it. I really don’t see why it’s an issue.

I think this is a good idea. As others have said, working 60 year olds will be earning much more than younger people in most cases or else have the savings. And the older you are, the more likely you are to need a prescription. To be honest I think it should be means tested, not just blanket free to over 60s.