Long term IC and free lateral tests

[Nectarinesarenice]

I’ve been on steroids 30mg for the last 2 years as well as Mycophenolate for an AI disease with lung involvement.

In the past I have received antivirals for Covid as well as free lateral flow tests when they were still posting them and all the Covid/shingles/pneumonia vaccines. However, the last email I received about accessing antiviral treatment from the NHS was from June 2023 stating that the system had now changed and I’ve received nothing since.

This morning I asked my local pharmacy if I could have some Lateral Flow Tests and they refused on the basis this I haven’t got an email for this year. I’m wondering if the criteria has changed, although having looked online I can’t see that it has, or whether the NHS are just no longer sending out emails? Anybody have an experience with this?

The NHSE link lists ‘people at higher risk’ and the Gov.U.K. Link suggests it was reviewed in March last year and was last updated in Sept 2023. Speak to your consultant maybe (ring the secretary) if you feel you should be included.

The list of eligible people who are offered these treatments is regularly reviewed and is available on the NHSE and GOV.UK websites.

Yes, my condition is on there but it seems to be that as I haven’t received an email this year I’m no longer eligible, although nothing has changed with my condition - thanks though.

I've never had an email. I'm on azathioprene and get free lateral flow from my local pharmacy- they just check
The meds I'm on and issue them. I also get covid /flu jabs and as I'm ancient, shingles Jab.

Can you check with your surgery and check they've coded your conditions correctly?

The pharmacy just wanted an up-to-date email, the fact that they’ve been dispensing my medication for the last 3 years didn’t seem to make any difference, but to be fair they seem to have no clue at all at how the system works.

I will speak with my Consultant at my next appointment and see if anything has changed from their side or whether the NHS aren’t sending out emails anymore after the one last June saying that the process had changed.

I'd try another pharmacy

There's a list here that issue them

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/find-a-pharmacy-that-offers-free-covid-19-rapid-lateral-flow-tests/

It says a letter or email might help but I haven't had notification since having a letter telling me to stop shielding 😂

I'm on methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis and have steroid injections three times a year. I'm eligible for the vaccinations but no longer eligible for free tests/AVs.