To think blanket free prescriptions for over 60s NEED to end?

[Idratherbepaddleboarding]

I know this will be controversial but I popped to the doctors in my lunch break to collect my prescription and joined a longish queue. Everyone in front of me was over 60 and collecting huge bags of medications and I was the only one paying for any of it.

I don’t dispute that I should have to pay but often I can’t afford it which has led to me having to miss days of my medication, leaving me feeling very emotional and at times suicidal (medication is for depression). Perhaps if everyone who has over a certain income had to pay, they’d be able to lower the prescription charge for everyone or be able to afford the pay rises they say they can’t afford for nurses and junior doctors.

The killer was that every single one of the people in front of me got back into massive, brand new SUVs, one couple into a Range Rover and another into a Jaguar. If they can afford to own (and run!) cars like that, paying for a prescription would be a drop in the ocean for them. AIBU to think that free prescriptions should be limited to those in pension credit just like Universal Credit?

When DH’s grandad died, his mum and auntie shared out his collection of prescription paracetamol and ibuprofen (I know they should be returned to the pharmacy but they’d only have been destroyed and both are ex nurses so I guess they know what they’re doing). I’m not joking, there were boxes and boxes of the stuff, we didn’t buy painkillers for years and these will have cost the NHS a lot more than they would from the supermarket and weren’t even taken by the person that they were intended for! Surely paracetamol and ibuprofen should not be available on the NHS at all?

I really don’t want to bash the over 60s and it wouldn’t be a vote winner for politicians but surely we can’t afford to keep free prescriptions for those that can afford them?

You can't afford to always pay for your medication, but you expect elderly people with large bags of medication to pay. The truth is some will not be able to and the subsequent medical treatment will cost the NHS more.

My Dad is on 14 medications, which enable him to live independently and not clog up hospitals. I don’t disagree that people could be means-tested, but I know he couldn’t pay for all 14 medications.

As a PP said, he’d stop taking them and die quicker, but I’m sure he’d cost the NHS a lot of money while he was dying. Most people don’t just get ill and die quickly in their sleep. 🤷

Nice line in hatred of older folks.

All benefits should be means tested

Even if it costs more than it "saves" ?

Gosh you are observant, op! I honestly never notice who does what in any queue, never mind what car somebody drives. However I am known for being unobservant.

No, I think the free medication for over 60s should stay. Otherwise it would have to be means tested and who wants to go through that, or have to administer the means testing? Most of the people you saw in the queue will have paid a lot in tax over the years, many pensioners still do pay tax. They are entitled to some sort of benefit.

I'm in my seventies and haven't had a doctor's prescription for years but if I did, I'd be glad for it to be free of charge. We don't get that much from the government and a lot of us don't ask for anything.
Under-60s who need to be on long term medication do get it free, they have a MedEx certificate. Please do enquire about that if you think you are eligible.

There are other criteria for free prescriptions such as receiving some benefits, claiming UC, etc; 16-18 year olds if they are in full time education.

The idea is that over 60s have already paid into the nhs during their working lives.
Others on low income, not working etc also get prescriptions free.

As over 60s have already paid into the system they have a right to not be means tested.
Lots of people with big cars and personal number plates somehow get UC and free school meals.
If we start to judge maybe we should look into that aswell / first.

And not discriminate.

Those pensioners that are well off have more than paid for the cost of a few paracetamol oner the years. It's those wealthy pensioners that are paying for those that get free prescriptions because they are entitled for other reasons or because they can't or don't want to work.

This is a fucking ridiculous idea that only people who haven't considered it properly trot out.

So you don’t have £9.65 a month to get one prescription? My 6 prescriptions thankfully are subsidised with the NHS Pre payment certificate and paying £11.16 monthly for that is a priority the way the mortgage is. Do you have anything you can cutback on so you can cover the fee?

I don't think it is ageist, I disagree with what the OP is suggesting but they want the system to be the same for all age groups.

I also want the system to be the same for all age groups - free prescriptions!

Only some are free. I've been on medication for about 10 years for something and it's only free because of my income.

over 60 and collecting huge bags of medications You sound as if you envy their huge bags of medications? Each one of those will have an illness attached to it.

I think It should be like one pound an item Are you sure it's not? It certainly was a separate charge for each medication a few years ago.

They have more disposable income because they’ve had longer to save for it than you.
Theyve already brought up their children and contributed to society.
Maybe we should all switch to a communist society and see how everyone likes that 🤯.

England is the only place in the UK where you have to pay for prescription.

I get mine free because I need thyroxine, my husband doesn't but he is on 7 different daily medication after his heart attack (He does have a pre-payment certificate). There is no logic.

I agree re things that are cheap over the counter shouldn't just be added to free prescriptions

I find it so weird that people want to spend MORE on benefits by making them all means tested. The self-defeating nature of this position does my head in.

Always worth dropping into any discussion on benefits.

I totally agree with you OP that anyone that can afford to pay for a lavish lifestyle and has a well paid job over 60 then they should fork out for paying for their prescriptions. Driving around in fancy cars, holidays abroad, designer clothes etc yet getting their meds free is not acceptable especially the way the NHS is at the moment. The more needy I'm happy them getting free prescriptions as it's costly so they shouldn't be punished but it's a joke otherwise living a fancy lifestyle and expecting free meds and feck knows what else they think they are entitled too.

I think prescriptions should be rethought for those who need lots of different medications regardless of age.

That is what ppc is for

Under-60s who need to be on long term medication do get it free, they have a MedEx certificate. Not all of them. For example, thyroid medicine entitles you to free prescriptions across the board, diabetics have to pay for theirs.

As with the bedroom tax, the Tories use the benefits system to teach people not to be poor. Or ill. So it doesn't matter if it costs more than it saves.

I'm told that GPs prescribe paracetamol & ibuprofen because those who depend on them are unable to buy adequate amounts over the counter due to restrictions.

I have a condition that entitles me to free prescriptions and, as a PP said, I seem to contract so many infections etc which need antibiotics/further treatment - so it's not just a case of me needing 7 prescriptions per month but the others on top of this. And not everyone can afford the prepayment certificate cost.

@Idratherbepaddleboarding No it really shouldn't end! My Mum lost her company pension and now survives on State Pension alone (not entitled to Pension Credit) and is living in poverty!!! Despite working full time all her life. She didn't get maternity leave when she had her kids and despite only having £600 per month for council tax & bills (only gets a measly amount of council tax support) she has to pay full dentistry.
If she had to pay for a pre-payment certificate every year she'd be absolutely screwed (even more than she already is!)

I'm sat in her house now and it's FREEZING because she cannot afford heating!!!!

God if you have to wait till your 85 years of age to get free prescriptions... that's quite bad. A lot of people will probably have some form of dementia at that age!

Free bus passes in many regions of the UK are already in line with state retirement age.

The Tories always have these ideas that sound like they will save money, but actually cost more.
So take your single elderly man on statins as his cholesterol is a bit high. He doesn't want to take them, but gave into nagging from friends.
Under this suddenly he has to pay about £10 a month. He decides to save the money and stops taking them. He has a heart attack and the NHS pays for all his treatment.
Preventative medication that stops people getting iller is the best place to spend money. It saves money.