free prescriptions for Hypos

[Regenallotment]

Hi,

I’m sure lots of members here already know this but sharing just in case. Given the cost of living increases this is such a help.

The pharmacy assistant in my local Asda told me to ask the GP surgery for a medical exemption certificate.

She explained hypothyroidism is on the list of lifetime treatments that qualify for free prescriptions.

Not only that, but then ALL your prescriptions for ALL medications are free.

I filled in a short form at GP reception and a card came through the post about a week later.

Here is a link to read more info (the paragraph just above side effects);

nhs.uk/conditions/underacti...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Just to be clear, this is in England. The other UK nations have free prescriptions for all, only England does not.

For those filling in the form, you need to tick MYXEDEMA as your medical condition, it's the same but hypothyroidism isn't listed (unless it's changed recently).

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Did the person in Asda also make sure you got an FP57 receipt?

Refunds of prescription charges

If you need to pay prescription charges before your medical exemption certificate arrives, you can get a refund as long as:

• you ask for an FP57 refund receipt when you pay (you can’t get one later)

• the start date of your medical exemption certificate is the same or earlier than the date you pay for your prescription (certificates are backdated one month from the date that we receive your application - they can’t be backdated any further)

You must claim your refund within three months of paying.

The FP57 refund receipt tells you what to do.

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-cer...

It is extremely disappointing that GPs are not telling patients about this and doing the forms at the time of diagnosis.

[Catfur]

Hello,

I have just read this and thanks for the information, I am just about to pick up my first ever prescription for thyroid meds this week.

I knew that you can get a medical exemption certificate for all prescriptions to be free. I am not on any other medication.

If I just want to get my Levothyroxine at the pharmacy is it free at the point of getting it?

Or do I still need to pay and claim it back? Provided I get a medical exemption certificate?

Many thanks 😊

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Catfur]

Once you actually have your exemption certificate in your possession, you do not need to pay anything at time of collection.

However, until then, you should be charged and reclaim later. But some pharmacies have been quite casual about this.

Don't tick the box until you have the certificate!

[Alanna012 in reply to Catfur]

I've only had to show mine to my local pharmacy once. They know me well and never challenge me. On the rare occasion of going to another pharmacy, I've simply ticked the appropriate box on the form and not been challenged either. So yes, they can be quite casual.

I'm on UC now so get exemption on that basis, but my hypo exemption cert ran out a nearly a year ago. I will need to get another pretty soonish.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Alanna012]

There have been newspaper reports of people receiving fines for claiming exemption when not in possession of a valid certificate - despite being fully entitled to one. Which is a very heavy-handed way of policing the system. Many have simply over-looked the certificate expiry date.

[Catfur in reply to helvella]

Thank you for the info. Looks like when I collect my prescription later I’ll ask for a medical exemption form to complete.

[Alanna012 in reply to helvella]

That's dreadful. Blanket policy being applied I expect. I always assumed that's why you had to put your NI number down, so it could be traced by relevant bodies of oversight and would show up on the system that you were entitled, even if you didn't have the certificate....

[Brightness14]

I have no thyroid so have all my thyroid medications free. I am in France, so different.

[Regenallotment]

I use the local Asda pharmacy and have to show my card every time. They have allowed my husband to collect and show the card too.