Certificate for her thyroxin and any meds she gets. Why is ra not on this list d, does anyone know ? Xx
Why do we have to pay for ra meds even though it's a ... - NRAS
Why do we have to pay for ra meds even though it's a long term chronic illness. ? My Freind has thyroid issues and gets an exemption
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antibes
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Although we have chronic illness long term, it does not actually effect whether we live or die from the illness, whereas those people with thyroid and diabetes it does. I have only gleaned this from listening to other people rather than from any medical knowledge.
Barrister in reply to
But really they should only get their medication for those illnesses free, not all other prescriptions. I have a friend who is epileptic and he also gets free prescriptions , not only for his epilepsy drugs but also whenever he needs any other prescriptions. Clemmie
I wondered this too. I find the pre-payment card does make a difference as I have so many prescriptions for things like repeat lung infections etc. x
I agree, it is because it is classed as a 'chronic illness' not an auto immune disease. I have the same problem with my bupa cover. I have a mild thyroid problem which may need treatment soon so will then get all meds free which seems so crazy. Especially when the NICE guidance is to start RA medication early and aggressively to prevent joint damage. It will end up costing the NHS so much more in the long run if people can't afford to pay for the drugs!
Ok thanks for your replies, xxx
It's something that NRAS have been lobbying for, free prescriptions for RA sufferers. People with type 2 diabetes get free so why not us as well? All down to cost to the good ol NHS of course. 
I get a pre-paid certificate: I get 10 items nearly everymonth for £10 I pay. if I paid the full price it would be what, £70? to pay? It has saved me a fortune. I also have asthma & have 2 inhalers (sometimes need Steroids), which I would have thought was life threatening if I didn't use my inhalers?
Hello
I do not pay for medications now as I am sixty three, When paying I used to wonder that as well.
If we were diabetic we would have got our medications free.
All I can suggest is that you get a prepayment certificate it works to save money when we needs so many tablets
All the best
BOB
You only get an exemption with an under-active thyroid and not an over-active one. Something which is very frustrating as I have an over-active thyroid. I am not quite sure why the exemption for Thyroxine.
Hi I'm on thyroxin I was told by the hosp that it's what your body normally makes and if you don't have the tablets it can cause your body to shut down x
Hi I can fully understand that but I lost over three stones and could not eat, plummeted to under six stone and very ill due to an over active thyroid and not responding to meds. Weight back up but still on meds permanently.
I know where your coming from as I was over- active then I had the radioactive stuff which sent me way under I was about 6 stone then now 11 I think it's wrong too that people who need lots of meds have to pay its about time something was done about it x
I hope yours in under control now. It is difficult when some of us get paid for and some don't. I just use the prepaid script as I need six items. Much better that way. That's as well as the RA meds via the hospital/HaH. x
I am so lucky living in Scotland and get free prescriptions. But I would struggle to pay for my meds and would cost the NHS a fortune in joint replacements. It's silly that a long term auto immune disease is not on the free list. But over the last 2 years of having RA and being on here, everybody says get the pre paid card.
I have a pre-payment card and I pay around £10 monthly and it pays for all my prescriptions and I have quite a lot!
I've been an asthmatic since1981 had really acte attacks that I had oxygen and nebuliser yet I have to pay for my prescription. Have oa of spine and fibromyalgia also question over lupus .Its very unfair as my inhalers and steroids have kept me alive
Gosh I wish we had that card here in AU... we do have a reduced rate of just over $5 per script for people on pensions but since Im not on one, I have to wait till Ive accumulated about $1300 before I can get that reduced rate (which isnt hard since it costs me about $250 per month for all my meds) ... and Im a diabetic on insulin and have hypothyroidism (hashimotos) on thyroxin.
I wondered the same, luckily I am on thyroxine and get my meds free. If I wasn't though, I do not know how I would afford it, since being diagnosed with RA six months ago, I now have so much more medication!
My son & his partner both work, both have long- term conditions & both pay prescription charges. Without meds they wouldn't be able to work - the meds they are on to enable them to work have long term effects on their health. It's not about working or health - it's about £'s. It's sad x
