Medical Exemption Certificate

[Marilyn1959]

New to taking any 'regular drugs, so was just wondering if long term steroids, calcium, vit D etc would qualify for free prescriptions in UK? I know some drugs such as thyroxine qualifies which prompted the thought and question.

[Griggser]

I don't think you can get medical exemption for the drug you've lusted. However you can save some money by buying an annual prescription nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcos...

[Rose54]

Hi

The answer unfortunately is no but you can ask your Pharmacist about this as he will tell you what medical conditions qualify you for exemption.

Also provide forms that may be of benefit for you depending on your circumstance's

HC2 certificate, or partial help HC3

These 2 provide help if on low income

Rose

[kezzybabes]

Free prescriptions up here in Scotland!

[Caro12line]

No sadly not, those meds do not qualify for free prescriptions. The exemption list can be found on line and quite frankly doesn't cover many essential drugs. I'm on the same as you for GCA and last year I also had a heart attack and have to take another set of meds as well now (beta blockers, blood thinners, statins etc) and they are not covered either!!

Get yourself a Pre Payment certificate, either yearly or three monthly and you will save a fortune. X

[SheffieldJane]

I got free Thyroxine because it was required due to Radio- Iodine treatment for Graves Disease ie the condition was medically induced. My Thyroid gland was rendered incapable of producing its own Thyroxine, by that treatment. This was the 80's, must have saved a fortune.

I wonder if the same would apply to Cortisone required because of Adrenal Gland failure caused by Pred treatment?

[PMRandRA in reply to SheffieldJane]

I got free Levothyroxene and free every other drug in the book ( if needed) by virtue of being diagnosed Hypothyroid. Quite an advantage actually. I got 8 years worth of freebies until I was 60 and then it was

free anyway. Trouble is, I only started needing stuff after 60 anyway. Oh the irony.

🌺

[SheffieldJane]

Of course everything is free when you reach 60 in the UK. Shh! For how long?

[PMRandRA in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes it is free over 60 and will remain so. Let's be positive shall we?

I suppose the age could change in line with the pension age, but I have not heard a word about such change. So good, lets remain positive.

😁

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Free no, not until you are 60. But you can buy a pre-payment certificate which does save quite a bit. Or you could move to Wales or Scotland ...

Here our prescription charge is only 2 euros, 1 euro for people with exemptions (nothing is totally free). Needless to say - there isn't a code for PMR so I have to pay 2 euros and for my hospital specialist appointments. But I have atrial fibrillation - exempted, so everything for that is free of charge besides the 1 euro prescription charge.

We also pay for our blood tests - a full bank of stuff comes to a good 80 euros. The GP was about to do it last time I was there until I complained at the cost so she said we'd wait until August - over 65s on a lower income are automatically free! All the computers here are joined up - you make your tax declaration and the hospital gets flagged your medical care is free. Or they write and ask how someone with no taxable income can afford to run a new Porsche

[Marilyn1959]

Wow! Didn't realise how locations vary in Uk. Won't be moving though as cheaper to pay for prescriptions 😎😎😎Thanks for the tips on pre payment certificates. Will look into that. All responses very much appreciated as always.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marilyn1959]

My little independent chemist in the village in the UK told me about them when I appeared with 4 scripts on one day. They filled in the form, dating it to start for that day and sent it off for me. They also didn't charge me for the scripts I picked up that day. Boots, on the other hand, LOST my first application and charged me so I had to go back into town to get the money back (KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS). You can also get it by phoning or online and they then send it out to you, giving you a reference no for any scripts you need to pick up before it arrives. I think you can back-date it a bit if you have your receipts.

I used to get a 3 month one, stock up just before it ran out and get a new one when I next needed it - that worked out better value but it does depend how much your doctor will let you have at a time.