Medical exemption certificate in the U.K.

[Happysnapper]

Hello lovely people. I am curious as to whether others with an MPN in the U.K. are eligible for a Medical Exemption Certificate? I am 55 and I have ET CALR, and currently on 1000mg hydroxicarbamide daily, along with numerous other medications to manage headaches etc. I recently reapplied for an updated certificate and now I am being told I am now not eligible, so I am wondering what is the experience of others? Many thanks.

[Pinktulips]

Hello Happysnapper. I wasn’t aware that I was eligible for a medical exemption certificate until I read online that if you have a form of cancer, then you can apply for it. As ET is a blood cancer, speak to your GP and tell them they need to apply for one on your behalf.

Maybe also show them the below (taken from the Cancer Research UK website - can’t attach the link for some reason):

Free prescriptions for people with cancer

All NHS prescriptions are free if you live in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland. There are usually charges in England. But if you have cancer, you can apply for a certificate to get free prescriptions. This is called a medical exemption certificate.

How do I get a medical exemption certificate?

You qualify for an exemption certificate if you are receiving treatment for:

- cancer

- the effects of cancer

- the effects of cancer treatment

You can get a form to apply for the certificate from your GP, pharmacy or cancer clinic. Your GP or hospital doctor will need to sign the form. You get the certificate within 10 days of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) receiving your form.

Once you have the certificate, you won't have to pay for any prescriptions. This includes medicines that aren't related to your cancer treatment. You show the certificate to the pharmacist when you go to get your medicines.

Good luck!

[Happysnapper in reply to Pinktulips]

Many thanks Pinktulips for a thorough response to my query. After diagnosis I was informed I was eligible and have actually had a certificate, which I recently tried to renew. My renewal application was declined by my local GP surgery. When I looked it up online I was finding the information you have kindly given, which perplexed me. I decided to have another try and eventually spoke with a GP who told me that a mistake had been made and I am in fact eligible, for the reasons you point out. He was careful not to criticise his colleagues, but did say about some not understanding, and said he would put a note on my record about ET being a less obvious cancer. I very nearly left it as I have little energy for battles, but I guess it shows it is worth pursuing things. I have just made another application, so fingers crossed. Thank you again for taking the time to send the info.

[Pinktulips in reply to Happysnapper]

It is unfortunate that we must persistently advocate for what we are entitled to but I am confident that your new application will be successful. Have a lovely day 😊

[Janis12 in reply to Happysnapper]

My GP recently told me I did not have cancer to which I replied that my haematologist said I had. The GP had no idea that ET or MPNs were now classed as blood cancer. I referred him to the changes made by the world health organisation relating to this classification. He was genuinely surprised....I dropped in an info leaflet for him, all about MPNs!

[Ebot]

Yes, absolutely! Ask your haematologist to sign off the form. I had one for years. And it’s good for all meds not just those prescribed by your haem for your MPN.

[Gaithersburg]

We are definitely eligible for free prescriptions in England. My GP surgery gave me. a form and I wrote out MPN and ET in full and then wrote blood cancer. Don't give up! There is info about this on the MPN Voice page too.

[Happysnapper]

Many thanks to all for your input. I have now resolved the issue thanks to one of the GPs at my practice being more up to speed with MPNs. At one point while trying to get some clarity on this my GP admin told me to speak with the haem team at the hospital, which I did, but all they could offer was that the Hydroxycarbamide is issued for free via the hospital pharmacy and that I should go back to my GP for other meds, so got passed back. What should have been a simple process was made much more confusing by misunderstandings, it was very frustrating, but thankfully it is now all resolved.

[Lallybroch1]

I have Primary Myelofibrosis and i have a medical exemption, just ask your GP surgery for a medical e emption form and fill it in and your GP will put it forward for you

[DougyW]

Once you receive a drug treatment for any cancer you are entitled to an exemption certificate, even if you get that drug from the hospital. Re-apply and if you have any issues contact Blood Cancer UK. That's a good group to join anyway.

[johoho]

Hi happy snapper, I don't have an actual exemption cert, nor have I applied for one, but when I talked to my pharmacist, she said, "oh you're exempt" and she's just ticked the box on the back of the script every time. Perhaps I should look into applying for a certificate.