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

@CounsellorTroi

I was gobsmacked when my under-active thyroid was diagnosed and my lovely pharmacist told me that I was now entitled to free prescriptions.

Just for the thyroxine presumably?

No. For everything. My friend also had this. Free prescriptions for everything for life.

She and her partner earn good money too.

Oh OK. It’s the Freedom Pass that’s 65 + then.

@ActonSquirrel

I’d be happy with them being free for all and with higher taxes for eg higher rate taxpayers (which includes me) to pay for them.

Well I wouldn't. People on free prescriptions are already not paying into the system for the most part.

We do. So we already have to pay high NI and tax and then to pay higher taxes to subsidise everyone even more not to pay prescriptions when they pay nothing into the system.
No thanks

What do you mean, ‘not paying into the system’? What system? I’ve paid National Insurance for 46 years, at times paid higher rate tax, never claimed any state benefits apart from child benefit and yet still have to work an additional 4 years to get my full state pension. I’ve paid into my private pension most of my working life so luckily will not need to rely on pension benefits when I eventually am no longer able to work at all. I look after my grandchildren 1 day a week, thus saving my dd exorbitant nursery fees so she can continue to work full time and contribute to the economy. Neither of my children have ever claimed benefits, both have worked throughout Uni, paid back their student loans and have worked full time since graduating.

One day you will, hopefully, be retired and unable to continue working. I would hope that you will be treated fairly and with compassion by the younger generation when that time comes.

It should be means tested.
My mum has an extremely good pension.
Why does she get free prescriptions when someone struggling to pay for food doesn't.

Yes link it to pension age

I have a prepayment certificate - it's only £10.30 a month for as many prescriptions as you need

Total bargain

It would make sense for those still working full time to pay, but a huge number will have retired so if they're on reduced income they should definitely not have to pay IMO.

@Soontobe60

My counsin hasn't worked since she was 31 and can't be arsed. Lives off UC and CB. That sort if not paying into the system.

I wasn't talking about those who have worked I meant those who won't.

For those of you moaning about people getting free prescriptions because of particular illnesses, here’s the list.
Free prescriptions for certain medical conditions
Medical exemption certificates are credit-card-size cards. They are issued if you have:
cancer, including the effects of cancer or the effects of current or previous cancer treatment
a permanent fistula (for example, a laryngostomy, colostomy, ileostomy or some renal dialysis fistulas) requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance
a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
hypoparathyroidism
myasthenia gravis
myxoedema (hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)
epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
a continuing physical disability that means you cannot go out without the help of another person (temporary disabilities do not count, even if they last for several months)

I suppose that if you’re a wealthy person with cancer you should still pay for your own prescriptions, or even your own treatment?

*No. For everything. My friend also had this. Free prescriptions for everything for life.

She and her partner earn good money too.*

That’s ridiculous. Like I said I am in Wales and before prescription charges were abolished it was only my thyroxine that was free. I paid for anything else.

[quote ActonSquirrel]@Soontobe60

My counsin hasn't worked since she was 31 and can't be arsed. Lives off UC and CB. That sort if not paying into the system.[/quote]
How many people do you think are like her?
Just because some people exploit the welfare system doesn’t mean we should do away with it for the majority.

I am over 60 and I think it’s fair. Doesn’t really affect me as I’m rarely prescribed anything.

It could be thin edge of the wedge though - if you tolerate this, then your children will be next, as the song goes.

I wondered how long it would be before people got back to bashing pensioners and the disabled. All that faux-concern didn't last long.

@StoneofDestiny

Next up - child benefit. Why pay Child Benefit to people who choose to have children - after all, if you can afford to have children surely you can pay for your prescription charges, pregnancy care etc etc ...............it's the dismantling of the Welfare State and turning people in on each other.

it's the dismantling of the Welfare State and turning people in on each other

Exactly. Thank you for making this point.

I agree with @Yubaba, it’s appalling how much medication goes to waste. People order it because they’re entitled to, not because it’s actually needed and it just ends up in the bin.

I recently have a customer complaining about how the GP refused to prescribe something and told them to buy it. Bearing in mind this item was only a few pounds the customer was quite indignant and trotted out the old ‘I pay my taxes’ argument. I pointed out the NHS could pay for ten of this item to manage a minor condition or they could treat five cancer patients. Yes we all pay tax but some drugs are ruinously expensive and there simply isn’t enough money to give everyone everything for free.

Of course the NHS badly needs economic reform but that’s an argument for another time.

I found out about this recently and have completed it

Having spent my working life paying for prescriptions, ( and only 40% have to pay) I dint see why I have to wait till 66 now because the Government increased pension age, which has already shafted me

I already subsidise free prescriptions in Scotland and Wales for all, so don’t see why I should pay now I am over 60 and suddenly have to pay again

I might agree if it’s 66 going forward and no penalisation to those between 60 and 66 but yet again it’s those of pension age who are shafted

Soon to be agree - there seems to be an assumption here that the over 60s are getting something for free. Most of us have paid NI and tax since the age of 16, and gladly done so to support a caring society. For the government to pull the rug is disgraceful. Just like they did with the waspis. Again by stealth.

Free prescriptions for those living with cancer began only in 2009

I'm really not sure I'd want to see them back, on the basis that some people who get cancer might be affluent.

Good idea. We're both well off 60, but me and my husband work and our children are grown up so can more than afford prescription charges.
Most people under 67 will be in similar position, so I agree with upping the age limit , unless they've taken early retirement, which meab they should also be able to afford

I assume this had already happened. The country is under a lot of financial pressure after all

@HasaDigaEebowai exactly, perfectly sensible

@Whammyyammy

Good idea. We're both well off 60, but me and my husband work and our children are grown up so can more than afford prescription charges. Most people under 67 will be in similar position, so I agree with upping the age limit , unless they've taken early retirement, which meab they should also be able to afford

Why don't you just pay them then?

Do pharmacists actually refuse to let you?

It's a bit like winter fuel payments - lots of people say they don't need them and would happily not receive them, but the level of donations to even well publicised schemes such as that run by Age UK does not seem to match the frequency of posting of good intentions.

Or if paying for prescriptions really is a faff once the computer says 'no' because of age, then the other thing you could do is make a voluntary payment to reduce the national debt (a very good think to benefit future generations)

www.gov.uk/guidance/voluntary-payments-donations-to-government

The whole free prescription system needs to be overhauled. So e.g. someone on certain life-long medications is entitled to all prescriptions, including such items as paracetamol, free. Fair enough give them the lifelong medications free but the rest really doesn’t need to be.

And why is it only certain conditions and not others? I have a serious heart condition but my prescriptions aren’t free.

I don’t agree with the home nations giving free prescriptions either but that’s their policy so they’re the ones dealing.

But there are cheaper ways of getting prescriptions such as a prescription prepayment card so no-one needs to pay full price for regular prescriptions.

And people complaining about prescription charges perhaps need to go and have a look at what these drugs would actually cost if they weren’t subsidised.

Means testing hurts those who are neither rich or very poor. Means testing always hurts people who are neither rich or very poor. Because there's always a cut off point, some who are far from well off and who would "genuinely" benefit from them are excluded

This is so true. My MIL gets pension credit, because she only worked for 15 years and was a SAHM for the rest of her working life. My state pension will only be £2 a week more after 49 years of non-stop work.

She also gets full housing benefit and full council tax support, so only energy and water bills to come out of that. I can't afford to retire, despite a small private pension, because I still have to maintain my house and pay half my council tax. And she gets free dental treatment, too, while I'll be pulling my teeth out with pliers if they start to give me grief!

@ActonSquirrel

I wasn't talking about those who have worked I meant those who won't.

You said people who get free prescription, not your sister in law.

@Binnaggy for over 60s free travel in London it has to be after 9 am. That would be of no use to many many people who start work at 9 am or earlier.