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Free prescriptions

Duvetdays15 profile image
68 Replies

Can you get free prescriptions if on medication after heart attack? I'm on life long aspirin, candesartan, Bisoprolol, Omeprazole, rosuvastatin. Its not listed on the NHS website as one of the conditions but thyroid for example is as its life long?

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Duvetdays15
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Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

No, not until you are aged 60 or on benefits. The system isn't fair.

I suggest you buy a prescription prepayment certificate to save money.

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-pres...

Duvetdays15 profile image
Duvetdays15 in reply to Milkfairy

I have a long way to go as I'm 50! I do have a certificate, just was a little surprised when a friend said she's just been diagnosed with an underactive thryoid and gets free prescription as its life long. Yet my heart could pack up without my heart meds! Crazy

Stubbornotherhalf profile image
Stubbornotherhalf in reply to Duvetdays15

there are certain illnesses that trigger free prescriptions. I’ve never understood it either. Thyroid or diabetes on the list. Husband has been on 8 heart& BP meds for over 20 years. He’s retired now& just had thyroid removed but got free ones anyway as he’s 67. A prepayment is the way to save on costs for you. I used to get the 4 monthly one& usually squeeze in 5 prescriptions. Then I could skip a month til buying the next card. Pharmacies seem to count from the date you collect the prescription

in reply to Stubbornotherhalf

Go for the 12 months it's cheaper

Brokenheart19 profile image
Brokenheart19 in reply to Duvetdays15

I understand that completely. I’m asthmatic too and 12 asthmatics die daily because they don’t have their medication. It needs an over haul - Now! Prepayment works well and if I ever see someone paying lots at the pharmacy I mention it as our pharmacy was a branch of that well loved high street brand and didn’t really promote prepayment.

JennyRx profile image
JennyRx in reply to Brokenheart19

well they should promote it. I work for the same high street company and we promote it, can sign people up in the store if they want , have all the paperwork for people on low income to apply for a HC2. It’s not the company, it’s the staff who are being unhelpful. The company neither wins or loses whatever payment mechanism is used as it’s not our £s as it belongs to the NHS

JennyRx profile image
JennyRx in reply to Brokenheart19

the list of exempt medical conditions was drawn up years ago and reflected medical knowledge and data of the time and has never been updated except for adding cancer. It does need an overhaul but it never seems to get done.

HeartyJames profile image
HeartyJames in reply to Duvetdays15

Yep all in same boat. I have 12 different tablets but have to pay prescriptions with a life long condition as you have as well. Yet people that have diabetes get free and as you say , other conditions. I pay monthly. I have very low income too as self employed and less than min wage. We do want to move to a Scottish bungalow near Aberdeen or Dumfries but have to wait til daughter grows up and will then be 60 anyway. We wanted to go to Scotland for other reasons though :)

The daft thing - I am 1 point off diabetic as pre diabetic with hba1c and they ask me to do multi daily finger prick tests too. They are also expensive and no prescription. So not seriously, but in back of my mind I want to be diabetic to get free prescriptions, of course I dont want that condition at all as can be devastating, but you know what I mean I hope

lisburb profile image
lisburb in reply to Duvetdays15

If you have an underactive thyroid you do get free medications regardless of age. Over active, nope, you have to pay. Once you are 60 you receive free prescriptions, best thing to do is get a prepayment prescription certificate. I used to buy an annual one, can get a 3 month one too. I asked once why you didnt get them for an over active thyroid, I think the answer was its not as life threatening as an under active???

Debtyd profile image
Debtyd in reply to Duvetdays15

I'm exactly the same...its total pants..im not able to work still and I don't claim benefits as my partner still works.... I have a prepayment certificate which is £108 a year and paid over 11 months.i used to pay when I got my monthly meds and it wad costing me approx 100 a month...but I wasn't aware of the prepay system at that time.. it is what it is so I've learnt..take care xDx

BorderTerrier100 profile image
BorderTerrier100 in reply to Duvetdays15

Hi everyone. The subject of free prescriptions for certain conditions used to baffle me, until I became type 1 Diabetic. Now I realise that any endocrine condition, I.e. Diabetes, Addisons Disease, Thyroid disease, where hormones are replaced, thyroid hormone, cortisol and insulin, are the lifelong conditions that allow free prescriptions. The prescriptions are for hormones that we cannot survive without, or medication to allow the hormones to work correctly.

Rhinos67 profile image
Rhinos67

Nope and it's ridiculous. I'm on Warfarin for life and have to pay for it.Heard on news that HRT is going to be free.. May already have happened, how is that fair? 🥺

in reply to Rhinos67

Good old Warfarin, I was lucky for about 5 years I was getting 1,000mg on each script so it was lasting about 6months. It was only when I started on other Meds that I got a Pre-Payment Cert, and now I've hit 60 it's all free....

Stubbornotherhalf profile image
Stubbornotherhalf in reply to

Free up to now at least. It hasn’t been ruled out or in whether us 60-66 will have to to start paying if they raise the age for free ones.

my GP asked me once if I pay for prescriptions. When I said I did, he gave me 3 months worth of tablets instead of a month.

in reply to Stubbornotherhalf

Yeah, it's possible that they'll change it, but, if it happens I won't be that bothered. A Tenner a month for 10months of the year is ok with me.

Jako999 profile image
Jako999

It was the only good thing to have come out of having cancer 11years ago I now get free meds.

It’s very unfair the way it’s all worked out

Norma27 profile image
Norma27 in reply to Jako999

yes my prescriptions are free too as my heart condition was caused by my cancer treatment. I think it’s very unfair on those that have a life long condition requiring medication, but don’t qualify for free prescriptions!?!

Julie_O profile image
Julie_O

As far as I know they aren’t free, but let me know if I’m wrong! 😀

Carlg profile image
Carlg

I honestly don't think paying a little over £10 per month is unfair for the amount of medications I am on after my bypass.

It's only a contribution that I and some others will be able to afford.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to Carlg

I agree, however the system isn't fair. Two people can have the same heart condition, same medication.

However if one has diabetes or an under active thyroid. That person gets all their medications free, heart drugs included.

It's not a level playing field.

HeartyJames profile image
HeartyJames in reply to Carlg

that depends on your income, on how fair you may see it. You may want to look at the fairness in more detail

Hello :-)

Here is a link to the NHS website about prescriptions

There is an eligibility link as you read down you can press on to check worth a look :-) x

nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescri...

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Ah forgot about the free prescriptions for those in other parts of the UK 🙄

As someone that lived there for 16 years, free prescriptions have to be funded somehow, and in Wales it’s at the expense of basic medical care. My daughter and I left in 2019, running full pelt for the bridge and never looking back, because one of us was going to end up dying if we didn’t. NHS England has its problems, some of them fairly major, but I would take paying for prescriptions over the treatment (or lack of) given by NHS Wales any day of the week. On the basis of medical care alone, if you said to me I’ll give you a million quid if you go back for 6 months, I genuinely wouldn’t do it.

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed in reply to

Completely agree , the free prescriptions are not worth the lack of access to better specialists or specialist units. It has been making me consider moving back over the border for years , despite my huge repeat prescription list.

HeartyJames profile image
HeartyJames in reply to Blearyeyed

can easily have both. We are a very wealthy country, a lot of waste Massive wealth gap. There is nore than enough money. Its just how they chose to spend it over the years and the diabolical waste of billions is unforgivable. I think the problem with free prescriptions is that they cover one ailment but not another like Heart failure that needs more meds than thyroid etc. So its the fairness more than anything. I do not think anyone on middle income or higher should have free and they would not want it , or for non chronic conditions. That would be silly.

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed in reply to HeartyJames

Its the complication and cost of bureaucracy of creating a condition tested and means tested system that causes the problem.As with many free or subsidised government systems they conclude that it can cost them more money to run a scheme that requires paperwork and assessment than it costs to use the system in place now , no matter how inefficient it is.

Unfortunately, that does mean many people fall through the gaps or may choose to take medications less regularly than they should to reduce their costs even if they have access to the payment card.

It is an issue that the system covers one ailment rather than another , but the level of medication required more commonly by patients with different illnesses , especially multi systemic ones , can be more common with some conditions than others. People with thyroid issues , diabetes or arthritis, for example , can actually end up needing far more medications for , or to prevent , lifelong issues than people with acute or even chronic heart conditions alone , because those conditions can more commonly cause illnesses of heart , digestive , endocrine , kidney , liver , hormone and neurological function that also require medication even when they are being medicated for their thyroid , diabetic or arthritic issue.

That's not to say that a person with a chronic cardiac condition alone whom may only need one monthly medication should not get it for free , they should . This is where the criteria falls down on being fit for purpose.

One reason that HRT as a stand alone medication is considered appropriate to be a free long term medication is also for the cost cutting possibilities of it. A patient whom takes it can reduce symptoms in so many parts of the body that would require additional treatment and appointments that giving it free can save the NHS alot of time and money.

HeartyJames profile image
HeartyJames in reply to Blearyeyed

Well they are the domestic economy and it should be easy enough. Money is all relative in a domestic economy and what is spent or setup has no limits really its more to do with business systems and how it is done. Not that difficult actually. I have done business analysis and systems as well as complex programming for many years. Computers are really good at conditions and logic. I could easily do it for limited money in the past , so no its not difficult once analysed. It does not need much bearocracy. That is just an excuse to give a lot of money to their friends and consultants in the billions. Crazy. You just need to globalise the ones with chronic conditions as a first step. NOT difficult and could do it very quickly. More of an excuse not to do it.

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed in reply to HeartyJames

I agree when people with knowledge of business , economics or computer systems outside government consider the problem , they always come to the conclusion you or I would. There is just that lack of knowledge and experience on a political level about sorting out these types of system logistics. When they try to improve them they always come short or the system fails. Its not just cronyism either getting in the way of improvements.

It needs proper consultation with people whom don't have making money of the systems as their main priority.

HeartyJames profile image
HeartyJames in reply to Blearyeyed

Could not agree with you more :) take care....

in reply to Blearyeyed

That's why the health and social care system should be taken out of the hands of the politicians.....

Just this week my step father nearly died due to his GP ignoring heart failure so blatant I correctly diagnosed him over the phone. My ex died whilst on the phone to 999 in July after not receiving any kind of appropriate review or care, despite asking for it having been blue lighted to hospital twice in the two months leading up to that. I’ve also been battling from 200 miles away for the last 18 months to get my mum proper diagnosis for her lung condition. GP waits at the surgeries they all attend are routinely in excess of a fortnight, and that was also true at the surgery we attended before we left in 2019. In spite of being seen by rheumatology, my obvious inflammatory arthritis was missed for 12 years, leading to my current situation of permanent joint deformity and crippling osteoarthritis when I’m not even 40, and my daughter’s life limiting lung disease was so badly managed in Cardiff that when she got to her new specialist centre in London she was admitted from clinic for a month solid. Her lung function was down to 46% and she was coughing up blood on a daily basis aged just 11, but her Welsh consultant kept insisting she was perfectly well and I was being paranoid. Over a period of 6 years I was repeatedly given abysmal care for my SVT that in practice amounted to receiving no care for my SVT. They told me brain scan results were normal, when in reality I needed brain surgery, and it took losing the ability to walk at age 26 for them to admit that there had been findings on the original mri. I then waited in agony and immobile for a further 17 months for the surgery, only for them to bodge it, leading to more surgery 18 months after that. Then there was the time post said, second brain surgery I was told to my face they would do a lumbar puncture just to ‘shut [me] up’, and it turned out I did indeed have the life threatening meningitis my textbook symptoms suggested.

In comparison: the arthritis they’d missed was diagnosed within 3 months of moving here. My 14 months and counting wait for a keyhole laparoscopy in Wales was done within 6 months. I’ve never waited more than 2 days to speak to a GP. My daughter’s lung health is the most stable it’s ever been, and she’s received testing not available anywhere in Wales (but considered routine here) that proves everything they said about the state of her lungs was incorrect and she does indeed have extensive lung damage. Much of which could have been slowed if not prevented entirely had she received proper care at the time. I’ve had 3 MRIs in the last 18 months and never waited more than a month for any of them, where my wait for an urgent scan in Wales was nearly 9 weeks. I waited two weeks for a holter during covid, when I had to wait several months for my last one in Wales in 2017. I also recently had an initial conversation with a neurologist where they couldn’t comprehend how or why Welsh medics had missed my chronic, raised intracranial pressure that’s now threatening my vision, or why they’d repeatedly failed to perform basic tests for what we now know was a csf leak lasting in excess of 9 months. Since moving, I’ve never had to travel more than 45 minutes for any medical care, but routinely had to travel more than 1.5 hours for routine services in Wales, with the best being multiple visits doing 5 hours each way to access a service in Manchester, purely because Wales couldn’t provide it. What makes that even more impressive is that it was only 5 hours each way because of the appalling infrastructure: the distance was only 160 miles!!

So. I’m genuinely really glad you’ve received good care, but those are just some of the headline examples of the repeated, consistent experience of myself, my family, and my friends. I have literally dozens of further examples of dangerously poor care spanning multiple UHBs: as much as I wish it was, this is not an isolated or regional issue. We’re clearly not going to agree on this, but add in the complete lack of availability of some tests, treatments, and services that are considered standard in England, and the tenner a month is worth every penny from where - through sheer luck rather than any kind of medical skill or judgement - I’m alive and still kicking.

Heythrop51 profile image
Heythrop51

Before I got a prescription season ticket I used to buy the 75mg aspirin as it was about a quarter of the prescription charge. Atorvaststin is quite cheap as well. I read somewhere that 28 days of isosorbide mononitrste. I also spoke yo my GP who put me on a 56 day rather than 28 day cycle. I now get the 75mg aspirin on the prescription as it would be rude not to. I wonder what the admin costs are?

Stubbornotherhalf profile image
Stubbornotherhalf in reply to Heythrop51

most pharmacies used to advise if you could buy over the counter cheaper. Not all though.

benjijen profile image
benjijen

Even though I don't have to pay for prescriptions I couldn't bring myself to accept aspirin on prescription. It's so cheap in supermarkets. I take enteric coated and even that only works out at £1.50 ish per month!

Duvetdays15 profile image
Duvetdays15 in reply to benjijen

But when you have been prescribed it in hospital as part of your life long heart medication why not?

in reply to benjijen

I know what you mean , I take 8 paracetamol per day and was shocked when they told me to take it and I insisted I buy it instead but they told me no because you can’t buy anymore than 16/24 at a time , that wouldn’t last me a week , and chemists shops ect would get suspicious and stop selling it to me . So now I get it from the doctor as well as alla the heart meds and tramadol. As it’s Scotland it’s free , but like the lady above stated we have higher tax and ni and costs of living here .

benjijen profile image
benjijen in reply to

I agree that when you're only allowed a couple of packs at a time it makes sense. I just hate to think what prescribing one 75mg aspirin a day is actually costing the NHS.

in reply to benjijen

yup I was horrified when they called me up and put me on 8 a day and insisted that I get them on prescription but for me it does make sense .

Crochetwoman profile image
Crochetwoman in reply to benjijen

I agree. I buy my generic coated aspirin over the counter when I pick up all my hearty prescribed tablets. £1 a month.

Interestingly, 3 years ago when I told my gp that I was “swapping” to coated aspirins she told me it wasn’t on the “Scottish free prescription” list but I could get PPIs prescribed for my heartburn due to the dissolving aspirin ! 🙄.

Gussy121 profile image
Gussy121

if you don’t get your medication to basically keep you alive for free there is something far wrong with the system .all medication on a prescription is free off charge regardless of age in Scotland

Wellington19 profile image
Wellington19

Don't think so you used to be able to buy ,, a prescription payment for a year or six months at greatly reduced costs

Duvetdays15 profile image
Duvetdays15 in reply to Wellington19

Yes I do this yearly, just can't understand the system.

firstlight40 profile image
firstlight40

A prepayment certificate is a relatively small price to pay, one of my heart drugs would cost $450 a month if I had to buy it in the USA.

in reply to firstlight40

my husbands mom is in the states and she’s been seriously Ill for a long time and is getting worse by day , she has cirosis of the liver that’s went into her kidneys ( she’s never been a drinker ) she’s had multiple strokes and broken most bones by falling , her medical bills would buy a house here and that’s her with top medical insurance. Finding a hospital to treat her is ridiculous and impossible. We had her in one to be moved to another a few months ago but due to a hold up on their side she had to stay in another night this wasn’t covered by the insurance this one night stay cost us $1200 . This lady’s worked all her life and she’s dying and the absolute indignity of the American pharmaceutical company’s and hospitals is truly a horror story .

Puffin1963 profile image
Puffin1963 in reply to firstlight40

I wouldn't mind if we ALL paid for them ...including those in Scotland...even uover 60s....it is atm only £10 monthly for however many items you have but still unfair some do , some don;t ....

Crochetwoman profile image
Crochetwoman

I am no statistician nor political but I must point out that Scotland does have “free” prescriptions but we pay more tax( to the Scottish government) than our southern friends to fund this and other health and education benefits. We have several taxation levels and lower wages too.

The care I have received has been great if maybe a bit slow at times - usually awaiting non urgent operations.

HeartyJames profile image
HeartyJames in reply to Crochetwoman

Much rather pay more tax and NI over the years. I was a highly paid analyst programmer and would have been more than happy to pay a few pounds extra. That way we have a healthier and more productive economy. If people are happier they also help economy to grow. So many positives if health service works to its full potential. Saying this I am on low pay now and due to my health.

wilsond profile image
wilsond

No sadly. Prepayment certificate is best

Coxtribe profile image
Coxtribe

It is a little disappointing that heart conditions don't qualify. As mentioned already, the prepayment cert is the best route for the under 60s. It's costing me a little over £10 per month by direct debit, for which I'm thankful!!

nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescri...

Silvasava profile image
Silvasava

I have been on Thyroxine for over 45 years, because I got that free I never had to pay for any other meds either! I am also asthmatic so my inhalers were free too and I would have been happy to pay for them. I never understood the reasoning there. A friend of mine had pernicious anemia and needed regular injections which she had to pay for.

Gosportinfo profile image
Gosportinfo

I was 54 in 2014 when my heart failure was diagnosed. The annual prepayment certificate was around £104 but you could pay it by 10 monthly direct debit so felt the cost was OK.

HeartyJames profile image
HeartyJames

LOL

scentedgardener profile image
scentedgardener

Do all diabetics get free prescriptions, or is it type 1 only? My sister, when diagnosed with type 2, attended a session with the local diabetic nurse and the first thing she was told was 'And don't think you'll get free prescriptions because you won't.' It was a few years ago.

BorderTerrier100 profile image
BorderTerrier100 in reply to scentedgardener

if you’re on insulin or tablets for type 1 or type 2, you will get free prescriptions. If you are treated by exercise and diet, you pay for prescriptions.

scentedgardener profile image
scentedgardener in reply to BorderTerrier100

You learn something every day. Thank you.

fishonabike profile image
fishonabike

on the practical side: aspirin is much cheaper to get over the counter (off prescription) - you are probably prescribed the 75mg dose which is also available in soluble or "enteric coated" formats and is less likely to cause stomach damage

the omeprazole is to protect your stomach against potential damage by aspirin, but you may want to discuss your need for it with your doctor and pharmacist - i took 75mg soluble aspirin daily for years with or after food with no problems and i was not prescribed omeprazole (or equivalent)

i don't know the price of the other medications but you could ask your pharmacist if they would be cheaper to buy, with a private prescription - but the pre-paid certificate option is good value

Duvetdays15 profile image
Duvetdays15 in reply to fishonabike

I am on 75mg dispersible aspirin and I have discussed the need for Omeprazole with GP I came off it after a year alongside ticagrelor but due to acid reflux and constant stomach ache have gone back on it. I'm hoping to be able to slowly reduce it.

fishonabike profile image
fishonabike in reply to Duvetdays15

ok, just thought it was worth mentioning😊

pasigal profile image
pasigal

Here in France if you have an "affectation longue duree" prescriptions and all exams related to that condition are free. Well, not "free" as we pay extremely high taxes, but you don't pay anything at point of service. I think this should be a policy in any country with national health care. The point is that offering free prescriptions on low-profit drugs with proven benefits like statins encourages people to take them, hence reducing costs later on if they need acute care...

momander profile image
momander

Hi Duvetdays15,If you live in Scotland all prescriptions are free. In England they are not, so it depends where you live really.

ParrotLover22 profile image
ParrotLover22

I know quite a couple of People who have moved to Wales for this very reason :)

Tez666 profile image
Tez666

Yes, doctor will help sort this or nurse, if its longline, I'm on same pills, and not retirement age lol. Ask them, good luck.

Manhattan1 profile image
Manhattan1

free prescriptions for all in Scotland 👍

Puffin1963 profile image
Puffin1963 in reply to Manhattan1

it really isn't fair ...why aren't we trying to do something about this, we just put up with it...you seem to get evrything free !

Manhattan1 profile image
Manhattan1 in reply to Puffin1963

more caring government up here 👍

Puffin1963 profile image
Puffin1963

It's outrageous that those on heart meds don't qualify - I am asthmatic , have been all my life , have paid all my life for inhalers...without them the nhs would have far worse things to sort out for me ....so I was staggered to discover even having heart problems didn;t qualify !!! Yet a diabetic does.....

Hoocher profile image
Hoocher

Unfortunately not, unless you are 60. The good news is that if you get a yearly renewable prescription and pay monthly it's only about £10.65 a month irrespective of how many different Medicines you take. Of course this is in England. They are free in Scotland.

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