COVID tests

[FandNnan]

Can anyone clarify please whether COVID tests should be free of charge to those who are immuno suppressed, as are probably most of us who use this forum?

I was charged £11 today for a box of 5 tests.

I did think I'd get free tests for my 32 week pregnant daughter also. She's in her 3rd trimester and guidance is that Covid treatment is recommended at that stage. Additionally she has asthma and has been offered vaccines since COVID started but no, unfortunately no free tests.

The NHS website seemed to say that if you're eligible to have antiviral treatment for COVID (yes, we are) then you can access free tests.

Am I getting this completely wrong?

[DorsetLady]

Is this what you read?

nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmac...

For immunosuppressed patients, it seems to depends on what medication you are on.

It does also say if you are high risk you should have a letter from NHS stating that, and to take that with you to pharmacy.

[FandNnan in reply to DorsetLady]

It was more the section called - Treatments for Covid-19. Sorry I can't get a link to work.

[DorsetLady in reply to FandNnan]

This one?

nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/...

I would point out this link was a last reviewed March 2023, mine September 2024. That may account for different info…

[FandNnan in reply to FandNnan]

There is a link on that Treatments section to NICE that has a more detailed and in depth list of those most at risk which is a little scary! 😧

[Star13]

Apparently everything has changed. I’ve just had Covid😮‍💨😪🤧🤒🤒 pretty bad. Last time was recommended for treatment but not now. Unless you are a cancer sufferer on treatment or some other immunosuppressant treatment, you won’t get offered treatment and you don’t get any free testing kits.

I was in the most vulnerable group but now apparently I won’t even be given Covid booster jabs! It’s absolutely ridiculous given how ill I was last week and am now back on steroids.

[DorsetLady in reply to Star13]

On steroids? Depends how long and what dose.

[CarolMcl]

I went into NHS Scotland and used the contact information provided. This enabled me to get free tests sent to my home. Not sure how NHS England works 🌹

[Maddymay65]

morning, if you are immuno suppressed and receiving treatment you should be eligible for free tests, I get mine from my local chemist.

Take care

M x

[LalaH52]

I get free tests from my pharmacy. I’m on MMF and steroids. Interesting I was still getting called for Flu and Covid boosters when I wasn’t on either drug, but on hydroxychloroquine.

I got antivirals last year when I got Covid but eligibility was determined by my BMI as I wasn’t on MMF and steroids at that time. I got Covid whilst on a cruise to Alaska but the private prescription for antivirals from my GP saved the day and my holiday as well as health.i would have been eligible if in the U.K at the time

Private prescription cost only ££11

[Lupievic]

I get them free from my pharmacy because I m on azathioprine but they are very strict now and check my details, fill in a form and then I sign for them each time. They sell them cheaper than £11 a box though so you may be able to find them for less elsewhere.

[FandNnan in reply to Lupievic]

Thanks for your reply and to everyone else who has replied.

I too take Azathioprine and Prednisolone daily and I went to my usual pharmacy that dispenses these medications every 4 weeks for me so you would think they'd see some connection. However, If I need to buy tests again I will press the matter more with the pharmacist and hope to get the test kit free of charge. Do they supply you one individual test at a time (£2.80 I was told) or a multipack? ☺️

[Lupievic in reply to FandNnan]

Yes you can buy individual ones but ask them to check their list as you should get them free. Apparently not all pharmacies give out free ones so you may need to go to a different one

[Cazpurple]

I live in WALES and have lupus and take hydrodroxychloroquine and receive free tests

[FandNnan in reply to Cazpurple]

Thanks Cazpurple, I think from the replies it seems there's no problem getting free covid tests if you're eligible in Scotland and Wales. However England seems to be patchy. I do think I should be eligible as I'm taking, and have been for several years now, Azathioprine and Prednisolone daily, plus several other medications as most of us do, to control lupus symptoms. ☺️

[Zezes-nan]

I'm in the UK I used to get the free kits via the NHS online and was told they know longer dispatch and to go to a chemist. I tried to get a free test kit and took along my letter that I had last year saying I'm entitled to the antivirals. Pharmacist had a long form and because the medication I'm on isn't on their list I was told No . I tend to get mine from Amazon. Its strange how the criteria has changed.

[Cookyboy1]

No your completely right ,if your eligible for antivirals then your eligible for free covid test ,just getting over covid and the nurse that rang me up so I could get the antivirals sent me an email which stated I was entitled to free covid tests ,the nurse was brilliant and very helpful even contacting addenbrookes to see if I needed to change my bloodthinners whilst on the antivirals which I did have to ,so all in all very satisfied with nurse Charlotte Slade .hope she doesn't mind me mentioning her name .

[FandNnan in reply to Cookyboy1]

I think I do have such a letter that was sent to me and used once a couple of years ago to get treatment and then filed! I'll have to fish it out 🤦🏼‍♀️. Thanks for your reply.