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Original poster

Following on ...... Free Prescriptions when .....

23 replies

JoolsToo · 19/09/2005 17:40

My bf takes thyroxine - because of this all other prescriptions are free!

I don't think this is right (and neither does she though she's not complaining!).

It means that, for instance unrelated BP medication she takes is free - why and what is the cost to the NHS.

I'm sure there are other drugs out there that are in the same category but I think I'm right in saying that, for example, cancer patients don't get their drugs free?

Anyone got any views/comments?

OP posts:

flamesparrow · 19/09/2005 17:42

That seems wrong!

How come thyroxine is free, when asthma stuff isn't (or mine isn't anyway, I don't know if it is for severe asthma).

But certainly not all medicines because you need one.

Original poster

JoolsToo · 19/09/2005 17:43

that's what I mean - how do they choose what drugs are in this category - as you say asthma stuff is on an ongoing medication isn't it?

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misdee · 19/09/2005 17:46

Peters heart medication wasnt free. whilst we were waiting for benefits to go through after diagnoses, we spent around 100pounds on perscriptions costs. hwe would've died without that medication. we got receipts and managed to claim it back.

QueenOfQuotes · 19/09/2005 17:46

I think that's daft too, (as does my mum). She has to take 24 (might be 26 - I can never remember) a day for her Parkinson's Disease and high bp.

She doesn't get any of them for free at all and she'll be taking her PD pills for the rest of her life. Even with the pre-paid prescription thing is still costs a forutne.

However, she also thinks it's mad that drugs which are unrelated to the drugs which are free are also free to those patients.

misdee · 19/09/2005 17:47

diabetics get free perscriptions as well.

Original poster

JoolsToo · 19/09/2005 17:49

and someone like Peter has to pay?

lunacy!

(not the diabetics don't deserve it for their diabetes

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Twiglett · 19/09/2005 17:50

DH takes methotrexate and celebrex for a chronic condition, also needs folic acid on prescription (because of dosage) .. he will be taking these 3 medicines or similar for the rest of his life .. we have to pay for each item and they will not give us prescriptions that last longer than 2 months ... it is so frustrating

what is thyroxine and why is it free? what other drugs are free?

misdee · 19/09/2005 17:50

we dont now. its was just that month, it really drained our finances that 1st month.

misdee · 19/09/2005 17:51

twiglett, have you applied for a HC! (thinks that what it is?) its a yearly pre-paid cert for perscriptions, think its about 90pounds.

QueenOfQuotes · 19/09/2005 17:51

Twiglett - have you looked into whether one of those pre-paid prescription things (sorry don't know their proper name) would work out cheaper (or have you already got one). It's still expensive, but can work out a bit cheaper.

Original poster

JoolsToo · 19/09/2005 17:53

thyroxine is for an under active thyroid tbh I don't know what happens if you don't take it!

But she wasn't even unwell - she had itchy spots that lasted for ages - ended up having a blood test and they said she needed thyroxine and with that any prescription she gets now is free!

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serenity · 19/09/2005 17:57

It's one of those things that I always feel slightly ashamed of doing (although not enough to pay for prescriptions I must say!) Thyroid problems can lead to worse conditions if they aren't treated, but my asthma theoreticly ('scuse spelling) could be fatal! It is stupid that I only started to get that free when I developed hypothyroidism.

misdee · 19/09/2005 17:58

pre-paid perscription

WigWamBam · 19/09/2005 17:58

I am entitled to free prescriptions because I'm on thyroxine, but I only use the exemption certificate for my thyroxine. I do think it's wrong that all prescriptions are free and not just the long-term medication, and I also think it's strange that some long-term medication is free and others isn't.

The cost of some of short-term courses of medication is extortionate too - my dad's cancer treatment costs almost £100 a month, but because it's not a life-long condition (touch wood) he wouldn't be entitled to exemption (he's a pensioner so doesn't have to pay the full cost, but a younger person would).

Twiglett · 19/09/2005 18:01

I loked into but because the GP actually prescribed the folic acid for 52 weeks it works out cheaper to pay for it one at a time .. marginally that is

SoupDragon · 19/09/2005 18:07

Utter madness.

nutcracker · 19/09/2005 18:14

My mum also takes Thyorxine and so gets all other perscriptions free.

Aimsmum · 19/09/2005 18:33

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

sparklymieow · 19/09/2005 22:12

Unsure if this is any help to anyone, but if a person is unable to get their own prescriptions, you can apply for a exe. cert. My MIL has one as she is housebound without someone with her. I will try and find out what form you would need the doctor to fill in if anyone has family who they think would be able to get one.

pootlepod · 19/09/2005 22:34

I think some of the drugs are chosen because the drug replaces what the body should produce rather than treat an ailment. So prescription thyroxine replaces the what the thyroid fucntion should be doing, and insulin is the same. But I agree the rules seem daft.

Incidentally, some doctors forget to tell their patients about the exemption certificate- I had to really fight to get mine.

suedonim · 19/09/2005 23:00

The list of exemptions was drawn up many years ago and I believe the govt is aware that treatments have changed and the list needs an overhaul. It's time actually they took action, imo, though I understand that all 'scripts will soon be free in Wales!

Thyroxine is on the list because underactive thyroid is a life-long condition with no possiblity of recovery. All other medicines are then free because having a lifelong condition means you may be prone to further illnesses. It would be too difficult to decide which illness was due to the exempt condition, and which not, hence the blanket coverage.

Pixiefish · 19/09/2005 23:04

Tell you what i thought wa barmy- that i was entitled to free prescriptions when i was pg. I was working full time as a teacher and could well afford any prescriptions I needed. So i did actually pay for them. When I was on mat leave things were slightly different in that I was on a reduced income so I used the free prescriptions. I'm not saying that all pg women shouldn't be exempt but I do think it was daft and wasteful that i was exempt whilst working full time. I would far rather have seen someone who actually needed the exemption to have it.
In Wales prescriptions are cheaper than England. The National Assembly has reduced their price to £4 each with the intention of making them free before too long

Original poster

JoolsToo · 20/09/2005 19:27

well seudonim - thanks - that clears it up.

Have to say though my bf is fit as a flea (except for a bit of high BP!)

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