Self injection cost on NHS?

[amydemi]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has any information or similar experience of this...

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, I had a bit of a tough time getting my GP surgery to agree to continue with my 8 weekly b12 injections, despite having pernicious anemia with neurological symptoms present.

Eventually they agreed, on the basis that I could come in for my appointment where my nurse would show me how to self-inject at home going forwards. I learnt to do this myself and did so at home successfully for my last injection. It is coming up to the time my next injection is due, so I’ve ordered the ampule via Pharmacy2U.

Long story short, I’m being charged the current prescription fee of £9.15 for the injection. I queried this and they pointed me back to my GP surgery.

The receptionist was very blunt on the phone and told me that it will cost that amount as is the case with any medication on prescription “other than contraceptives” (not true, as if you have other conditions such as diabetes, you don’t have to pay for your medicine?)

I suggested then that I come back in to the surgery to have my injections as they were free for me then. She said this would take up valuable nurse time and didn’t seem as though it would be an option! I’m awaiting a phone call from them as she was going to speak to my doctor.

My argument is that I can’t see why I should pay for the injection just shy of £10 and no doubt rising! (which costs the NHS a matter of pence), when I was entitled to have the injection for free at the surgery? Yes, it’s taking up the nurses time, but I’m a patient and that’s what they are there for? I pay my national insurance like everyone else, so why shouldn’t I be seen to receive my treatment? I’m actually doing them a favour injecting myself at home, as it does save their time which they could be using on other patients who may not be able to deal with their issue at home.

Sorry for the rant, just would like some opinions, advice or similar stories as I’m baffled by this! Very frustrating that as usual, I get the “so do you need these injections?” thrown in by the receptionist! Argh!

I have no doubt they will want me to have blood tests etc again to try to prove I don’t need it, despite me pointing them in the direction of the PAS and relevant guidelines. It feels like I’m constantly fighting a losing battle unfortunately and I’m guessing the outcome will be pay or don’t have them anymore, which is very unfair. Why is this condition not taken seriously?

[Nackapan]

I pay for my prescription for b12 ampoules to self Inject also had to buy the needles syringes sharps box ect.

I also have them at the surgery at no cost to me.

I agree it doesnt make sense s you are entitled to them and by self injecting saving the nhs as no nurses time.

I've asked for more ampoules on one prescription . The only way I could find around it a bit. Do you buy your needles?

[JanD236]

My GP let’s me have a prescription for 5 ampoules at a time. A nice round number as they come in a box of 5.

I have an annual pre-payment so don’t pay for individual prescriptions but I would think you’d only pay one charge for one box of 5?

[Nackapan in reply to JanD236]

Yes I I initially got 5 in one box. Then as I asked get 2 boxes on one prescription. 10 for £9.15

[Nackapan in reply to Nackapan]

The only thing tou have ri watch with prescription b12 is usually a short exp. Date . I got an iou slip for second box.

[wedgewood in reply to Nackapan]

They actually cost less than that buying from German online pharmacies ! About £6.00 for a pack of 10 . They usually have a use-by date of more than 2 years.

[Nackapan in reply to wedgewood]

Yes! I've got those too. Thank goodness for the long expiry date.

The next prescription she said (Gp) shes putting 15 3 boxes on so 15 for £9.10. Not materialised yet though. The iou gets over the short expiry dates of a couple of months .

I do it after all the fights to 'stay in the system' and on my medical notes.

[fbirder]

I don't pay for my prescriptions (over 60) but I get my B12 ampoules five or six at a time. That way you would only be paying about £1.80 or £1.50 for each one.

You could ask your doctor if that would be possible. There's no problem with storage, as long as you keep it in the dark.

[helvella]

I'm not going to attempt to explain or justify what is happening to you.

Simply posting a link to the prepayment certificates page:

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

Yes - it works out more expensive still if you only need six B12 injections a year (assuming full charge for each ampoule). But if you need one prescription a month, perhaps you have other medicine needs?, it starts to come into its own.

[TFH1]

I'm not sure that the receptionist is the person who should be making decisions about this. Stay calm and pleasant and sort it out with the doctor in a phone appointment?

[Lasue]

Luckily I am over a certain age so my prescriptions are free

I self inject after GP agreed due to pandemic it would be possible I get 1 ampule each month for my injection not a row of five but just the 1 all in a nice little white box in a nice paper bag and a trip to local chemist to pick it up each month

I asked could I not have say 6 months supply .... I’m sure some of you know the answer why not

‘ not possible as you might Overdose ‘ I’ll leave you all with that little nugget just to hopefully raise a wry smile

So sorry it has to be paid for but as they are issuing a Prescription then there is a charge perhaps because we all usually traipse down to the GP to have our literally Life Saving injection they feel they had better not charge remember there is no logic at all in relation to PA if you don’t suffer from the condition

Keep safe everyone masks at all times and keep yourselves to yourselves things will get better eventually

Note

Boots doing influenza injections from 17 Sept got ours booked so get in early get it done

Take care have a good weekend

[amydemi]

Thanks everyone! Not heard anything back so will try to get hold of the doctor today. Thanks everyone for your insights and advice... I will try to stay calm and pleasant, I think my defence goes up quite quickly as I’ve had to fight them hard just to be taken seriously and reduce the injection from 12 weeks to 8. They’d rather stop it altogether. It’s quite frightening that they do not care to look into this condition and the reason PA patients need injections over tablets. It’s quite simple really! I feel like you’re labelled a hypochondriac for looking into your own condition. Hopefully I’ll get an answer today anyway. I’m not against paying for prescriptions normally as I have done in the past, I just couldn’t see the logic in having to pay when it’s a lifelong condition and the injections in the surgery are free? I don’t think it’s very fair. Thank you for the advice re. the prepayment option. It is a good solution for many although I don’t have anything else to pay for so it wouldn’t benefit me financially at the moment. I’ve lost my job due to the pandemic so a menial £9.15 prescription every 8 weeks may not seem a lot but I have to keep a close eye on what I’m spending. It pushed my buttons to say the least when I was told by the receptionist that it saves nurses appointments! Let’s hope I can just go back to having them done in the doctors, although I’m sure that then opens up a can of worms... blood tests etc to get it all stopped. Sigh!

[amydemi]

I will also ask about having more than one ampule in a single prescription if that is possible as that would definitely reduce the cost if this is the way forward - thanks!

[helvella in reply to amydemi]

It might not apply to you (and I am not asking to find out anything!), but I'll post that there is a special scheme for those on low incomes in case it is of use to anyone:

Anyone can apply as long as they don't have savings or investments over a certain limit. You can't get help if you or your partner (or both) have more than:

£16,000 in savings, investments or property (not including the place where you live)

£23,250 in savings, investments or property if you live permanently in a care home (£24,000 if you live in Wales)

Who doesn't need to apply

You don't need to apply if you're already entitled to full help with health costs.

You already get full help with health costs if you or your partner get:

Income Support

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

Universal Credit - if your earnings during your last complete assessment period were £435 or less, or £935 or less if you had a child element or had limited capability for work

You’re also entitled to full help if you are named on, or entitled to, an NHS tax credit exemption certificate.

Any dependent children under 20 included on your benefit or tax credit claim are also entitled to the same help.

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-incom...

(Considering there are no prescription charges in Wales (nor Scotland and NI), the mention "(£24,000 if you live in Wales)" seems somewhat out of place!)