Sunscreen on prescription

[Dilbertian]

Who knew? I've had this condition for over 20 years, with annual consultant reviews for the past 7 years, and this is the first time it's been mentioned that there is a specific sunscreen that might help me, and that I'm eligible to have it prescribed!

Oops, hit post by accident.

Continues...

My dad had sunscreen on prescription, although I can't remember why!

I can have Sunsense or La Roche Posay Anthelios. Before I go to the GP, I want to have some idea of which to request. I'm finding their websites confusing, so hope someone here has relevant experience and can advise me.

Essential:
Fragrance-free (I'm allergic as well)

Preference:
Physical sunscreen (is that the correct terminology?) rather than chemical.
Invisible on my face.
Non-tinted.

I'd prefer non-tinted because of ruining my clothes, but if the only way to get a non-shiny physical barrier on my face is to look like a cricketer, then I may have to compromise with tinted.

Is it possible to have 2 different products prescribed for face and for body?

According to the NHS website, there's a precancerous skin condition that is eligible for it. Bald men often get it. (Fortunately I am not a bald man )

I meant

Fortunately I am not bald. (And I am not a man.)

My Mum is prescribed suncream for PLE- you don't get a choice in our area even though they offer different types.

Her consultant said they start with the cheapest (Sun sense) and work through if there are any reactions or if it's unavailable for some reason.

She uses it for her body but buys her own face products as they won't supply that. It's the NHS, they can't afford the extras so that's fair enough!

I wonder what makes these sunscreens different. Why prescribe these two specific makes, but not other makes?

If you can afford it please buy your own.

What superram said. Children are eligible for all sorts of things on prescription like calpol and headlice treatment but I can afford to buy for my DC so I don’t ask the NHS to provide these basic items.

I can’t imagine why you’d need to get this on prescription when it’s easily found in the shops. Unless it’s a specialist thing that you can only buy at huge expense then please buy your own as PP have said.

www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/easysiteweb/getresource.axd?assetid=3258&type=0&servicetype=1

Some info here.
It depends where you live whether you will be eligible.

Many CCGs around the country are stopping their local GPs prescribing things that can be bought over the counter to reduce costs.

Suggest you look at your local CCG website to see if there is any information or ask your local pharmacist if they have a list.

Why prescribe these two specific makes, but not other makes?

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) does this. Looking at evidence of effectiveness
NICE guidance also plays a part but even then NICE can recommend a particular treatment but the NHS may not add it to the list.

New cancer drugs etc that are very expensive are difficult to get onto the NHS list as usually their cost is prohibitive. Hence why families crowd fund to get treatment abroad.

I can’t imagine why you’d need to get this on prescription when it’s easily found in the shops.

Is it? I was not at all aware of these makes until I got the consultant's letter.

And of course I will buy it myself if I can!

Some people won't be able to afford to buy it,they're expensive makes.

They used to prescribe ROC ,I don't know of that's still made.

**if

My dad got it free back in the 1980s after he had skin cancer

@Inforthelonghaul can't speak for everyone but my Mum has Polymorphic Light Eruption which means that she is literally allergic to the sun.

She needs factor 50 full UV block to go out of the house regardless of the season or if she's going to be near a window for a period of time or she breaks out in red, itchy blisters. Since she has to go to work and live life in general today it would cost an absolute fortune to keep up with!

As a family we don't agree with those who can afford taking advantage for minor ailments as we understand the cost to the NHS but this is necessity.

www.sunsense.co.uk/shop-our-range/

www.boots.com/la-roche-posay/Suncare

BlueEyedFloozy, has she tried phototherapy? It has been literally life-changing for me. Also antihistamines. Dermatologist told me to take double dose of 1-a-day OTC antihistamines, ie 1 every 12h. Also effective in reducing my sensitivity, and in reducing the severity of my reactions.

Yes - she gets phototherapy too. I think it's 2/3x per week from April - October or something like that Free sunbeds on the NHS 😲😉

She hasn't mentioned the double antihistamines though, will suggest for her to look that up. Thanks!

Free sunbeds on the NHS I know!They don't make me tan, though, just freckle. I haven't had a tan in decades. I get all excited if I have a slight watchstrap mark in September 😂

Anyway, back to my original question. Can anyone suggest which of the products would suit me? If I'm going to buy it myself, I may as well be fussy.