prescription charges annual certificate [Archive]

Lawnmower Man

19-05-2003, 2:06 AM

Hello All

It always seems everyone else knows something you don't but if this small tip helps just one person save money then that will do me.

I 1 item on prescription cost £6.20 and for the past 7 years or so until 2002 I was having to get about 3 items a month minimum which per year is ££223.20 visiting the chemist every time AND YET not one of them told me you can get 4 monthly and annual certs - not even the doctor who issues the prescription every month to me. 1 amount then as many prescriptions as needed. 4 months costs £32.40 and yearly £89. This may seem a lot but look at my saving £223.20 minus £89 a massive £134.20 a year AND that is just on regular medication for my condition let alone the odd prescription here and there that every needs.

Strange how I never saw this advertised they say millions goes unclaimed in benefits (like most people I don't like to be seen as though I am sponging off the state, but I work full time and there is nothing illegal about it).

Anyway, what with this years NI rises I know feel no compunction claiming this.

Hope this helps at least one person or maybe somebody you know.

Paul !:)

insert from Martin A breakdown of savings
Further on in this discussion pharmacist Maxad2002, produced a summary of ways to save. !It was so good i thought i'd bring it to the top. !Here it is.

Hi!
I work in a Pharmacy and am constantly amazed that so few people read their prescription or read the notices that we have to display in the shop.
Here are some tips for you on how to save on prescription charges.

Cheaper to Buy over the Counter!!
With many prescriptions especially for short term conditions like a fungal infection it is cheaper to buy over the counter. So next time you take a prescription ask, most chemists will tell you and you can save a packet. For example Daktarin cream 30g on prescription is £6.40 but over the counter for the same cream is £4.99!!

HRT and Two Charge items
There are certain things that two charges have to be paid and generally this is when there are two items in one box such as two tablets or a cream and a tablet.
The only way to get round this cost is to ask your doctor for two or three months supply instead of one or see what the maximum the doctor is willing to supply.
so instead of £12.80 for 6 months supply you could get 12months supply for same cost.

Private Prescriptions !
Many of us have to take antibiotics at some time in our life and at the time all you think about is taking them. However antibiotics are incredibly cheap so next time you need some ask your doctor if he is willing to write a private prescription. If he is all you will need to pay is around £4.00 instead of £6.40.
* please not this goes for antibiotics like amoxycillin, penicillin, metrondiazole and erythromycin. *

Low income
Other people have already mentioned it on this chat but if you are at uni or don't earn much ask for a hc2 form from your local pharmacy, theres quite a lot of q's but it's well worth it.

Prepayment forms
Preypayment forms are just like bus passes and enable you to claim free prescriptions for a certain amount of time. The forms are available from your local chemist and you can either fill it in or phone up.
To work out if it would be cheaper for you all you need to do is add up how many prescriptions you have over a year and if it is more than two a month it is cheaper for a 12 month certificate. !
If you have more than 3 a month over four months then it is cheaper for a four month certificate.
The main thing to remember is this if you are considering a claim then !get a NHS RECIEPT!! this is a form that once you obtained the certificate you can claim the money back from the post office. !
They last three months from the time you pay the prescription charge so it's well worth getting.

(MARTIN INSERT: ACTUALLY THE ABOVE IS SLIGHTLY WRONG. Get over 14 prescriptions a year and the annual certificate saves money, or you need to get over5 in 4 months for the four month one. For more info call 0845 850 0030)

Well i hope these tips help. These are the basics and are designed to compliment what other people have said on here. !
The main thing is don't be embarrassed about asking because i can bet you that the person on the counter would if they were in your situation!!

Fastflys

20-05-2003, 9:20 PM

I agree with you. !The prescription prepayment certificate is not promoted by GP's, hospitals or chemists. For years governments have kept this "benefit" under wraps.

Like you I require regular medication and for a number of years paid per item. !Four years ago I applied for my first annual prescription prepayment certificate and over the years, have saved a considerable amount of money. !In no way do I consider myself a sponger. !This is not a "Free" benefit. !The up front annual charge in October 02, when I last purchased mine was £89.00. !This charge may have increased. !Price rises are usually applied in April of each year.

This benefit is available to all regardless of circumstance.

I would urge those of you who require regular medication to apply. !The certificate covers the cost of all prescription items for 12 months so if you require 14+ items per year you will benefit financially.

Ask for NHS brochure FP95 at your chemist, a very simple application form is contained therein.

Can't get your hands on a brochure? no problem, phone 0845 - 850 0030, order your prepayment certificate and pay for it by credit or debit card.

Still not sure? write to them, the address is as follows:

Prescription Pricing Authority
PPC Issue Office
PO Box 854
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 2DE

Or visit their website: www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc_intro.htm

P.S. !Last year the postcard size paper certificate was replaced with a plastic one the size of a credit card. !Much easier to carry around.

Get one today!

MSE Martin

20-05-2003, 9:37 PM

Thank you both for this information. I must admit I'd never heard about it. I'm very impressed and will be adding it to my next money tip by linking people to this discussion so that they can read your posts. Thank you very much.

Martin

Andrea

21-05-2003, 1:35 AM

Could I just add that people with certain illnesses (can't remember them all but epilepsy is one of them) should receive one of these (or something similar) entitling them to free prescriptions.

01-06-2003, 8:33 PM

Just to say that it is good that people know about this as I was very greatful to be told about this in 1998 at the hospital pharmacy on getting my first prescription for cancer treatment which was the price of 3 prescriptions all at once and was going to be like that every 3 weeks for 9 months plus, so I certainly saved a lot of money at this stressful time.

02-06-2003, 2:31 AM

If you have several regular prescriptions they are normally for 1 month each. Try to get them all together. Next time they are issued get a 4 monthly "season ticket". When approaching the runout of that ticket get your prescription early just before expiry. Only renew it a month later when you need your next prescriptions, and repeat as above. There is no obligation to renew immediately.
Over the long run you get 10 with 2 tickets and dont pay for two months.

02-06-2003, 1:49 PM

great idea but you may be able to save more dosh!!!

If you buy a 4 month pre payment certificate and get a prescription immediately prior to it expiring. (Most GP's are willing to oblige given the cost of each item) you may get enough medication to cover an extra 2 months.

I only have to buy two 4 month pre payment certificates per year, saving some dosh.

02-06-2003, 3:44 PM

Did you all know that you can also get free prescriptions and save money off glasses with a HC2 form. Available from opticians and chemists. You do however need to be on a low income and not be getting other benefits.(income support & family credit) Ideal though for students and the elderly.
I work in an opticians and we give them out regularly.
Its well worth a read to see if it would benefit you!

15-06-2003, 9:26 PM

My wife has had a Pre payment certificate for years - this is mainly for asthma drugs, but if she was diabetic and needed insulin there would be no need. Strange how both can be life threatening but only diabetes gets free perscriptions.

Iain
www.homesonsale.co.uk
sell your house without an estate agent!

Galstonian

16-06-2003, 2:25 PM

You could always argue that nobody really gets free prescriptions. Some people have to pay more on collection but even that doesn't mean the costs are bourne entirely by the patient. There are plenty of anomolies in the health service but asthma drugs would still cost more via health insurance (I know from having living abroad).

19-06-2003, 10:08 PM

:)I totally agree with Ian about Asthma sufferes having to pay for their perscriptions,my husband suffers with it and i dont think they should have to pay.

homesonsale

20-06-2003, 1:48 AM

Savings could be made by the NHS by stopping these so called "NHS Tourists" they come into the country and head straight to the nearest hospital. Once there in A&E they get seen without any checks whatsoever.

If they are an emergency they get treated there and then. Someone could have been due to go in for an operation but it gets cancelled, because someone who has not paid into the system abuses it. This is not the fault of the individual but the system!

ID cards would start to sort this out but they would need to be linked up to a central database and checked before they started any treatment. A bit like if you need treatmet when abroad - show your insurance before you get treated.

In fact I bet most people travelling in to the UK do not bother with expensive travel insurance - as we are so generous we treat for FREE!

Iain
www.homesonsale.co.uk
Sell your house without an estate agent
FREE to advertise!

Galstonian

20-06-2003, 12:02 PM

Probably true up to a point but I would be really surprised if it was the same kind of drain on resources that any of the self-inflicted health risks are.

Anyway, A&E do not treat illnessese, they treat accidents and emergencies. If you are well enough to travel and plan to do this then there are probably very few ailments that might be treated as an emergency especially one requiring an operation.

Do you have any numbers to back up this argument?

leosayer39

22-06-2003, 9:28 PM

For information,

E111 forms are free to obtain from the post office who also make no charge to stamp it.

I have one as does my partner and we always take them abroad. For some reason we also carry a photocopy of the form itself. Don't know why we do this but I must have read it somewhere on the form that it is beneficial to do this. (Its three years since we had ours stamped and I think that they last till you use them but I ll check this out when I get time).

I think that if you use the form you have to get a new, stamped one from the post office on your return as the old one is kept by the hospital/doctor you attend.

Leo :)

Camelz

03-07-2003, 3:37 PM

::)

Anyway enough of this pontificating and back to some money saving.

I asked my doc for a 3 month repeat prescription as I have to pay - he said no problem - try it with your docs.

I can usually manage to wangle 3 repeats in four months - 9 months of medication on one 4 month pre pay certificate. (get prescription 1, buy 4 month cert; after 2 months get prescription 2, just before cert runs out get prescription 3).

My doc has never questioned the frequency I order the repeat prescriptions - he just monitors annual usage of the prescribed drugs, as long as I only order 4 repeats a year he is OK with my method.

24-08-2003, 4:10 PM

The probable reason doctors dont mention is that they are probably unaware of it. I have been working in this country since 1995 as a doctor(hospital)but I didnt know about it last year when I had an illness which meant that I had to take few tablets regualrly (when I browsed the net trying find ways of buying the tablets cheaply as even hospital pharmacy wouldnt dispense the tablets for longer than 28 days usually for obvious reasons that they can charge you everytime). I now tell my patients about this when I see them in the clinic when they are concened about the cost of prescription. I also realised at that time that even my colleagues dont know about the prepayment certificate.

27-08-2003, 11:32 AM

If you don't have an annual certificate you might still make some savings on your prescription.

Ask the Pharmacist if any of the medicines on your prescription are not POM (prescription only medicines) and can be bought over the counter cheaper than the prescription charge for that/those items.

al.green

27-08-2003, 3:48 PM

Just a thought, do people know about few eye tests for computer users? I believe it's an EU rule, but anyone who users a computer monitor for work and can't do without it should recieve free eye tests from their employer. This isn't well advertised in my company, but if you ask they'll give you a voucher.

Galstonian

02-09-2003, 3:30 AM

Would free prescriptions change this number?

hutchie

03-09-2003, 4:51 PM

Skint Al , That's quite correct.Companies must allow there employees a free eye test if they use computers. If they need glasses they will or should only get them for middle distance e.g. 14"-26" from pc screens.A lot of companies supply them free of charge to there employees

mistral

10-09-2003, 10:04 PM

I have used them for the last two years and buy the 4 mth one and then load the drugs up to last as long as I can.

EMcG

12-02-2004, 11:40 AM

Just wanted to say a BIG thank you to this site and its users for highlighting this scheme. !

My wife is very ill but unable to claim benefits so prescription charges were crippling us (doctors keep prescribing medication and then changing it). !

I called up the helpline (0845 850 0030) and bought a 4 month prepayment cert. for £32.90 (you can also buy 12 months for £90.40) by debit card. !

You can also backdate the cert. for up to a month so you can claim back for any prescriptions within the last month that you have paid for already. (I should point out that to do this you will need an NHS reciept - big brown form - which the chemist will give you if asked) - you then take this with your Prepayment Cert. to the Post Office for a refund.

The price of the Prepayment Cert. rises each April so get in there quick.

Remember this certificate is available to everyone.

Martin, perhaps this great moneysaving scheme should be flagged up in your email or perhaps on a TV/Radio slot?

MSE Martin

12-02-2004, 1:45 PM

I have put it in the email before - but will do so again - it's been a while :)

As for your PS - hope you donty mind i deleted it - there are some things i want to keep secret for the moment (i think you'll understand what i mean) :)

Fran

12-02-2004, 7:27 PM

My wife is very ill but unable to claim benefits

EMcG - You say that your wife is very ill and cannot claim benefits. Is she claiming Disability Living Allowance? This benefit is not means tested so is not decided on your income(s). If she has had the condition for three months and expects it will last for the next six months she may be entitled. You can get help filling in the form at your local Citizens Advice Bureau (some will do a home visit if she is unable to get to a bureau). It is best to get the form filled in with an experienced person as it takes a while to fill in.

Savvy_Sue

13-02-2004, 12:10 AM

Prescriptions going up - I think in April, it usually is - so if you're buying an annual certificate get in before the price hike!

16-02-2004, 10:50 PM

Did you also know that you can get a whole course of nicotine patches (which consists of about 8 weeks worth or more) on one prescription for £6.30.

They usually retail for about £18.99 for one weeks worth.

And they definitely helped me!

16-02-2004, 10:51 PM

I think some of the respondents to this subject should re-consider where they obtain their prescriptions from. The staff within the company for whom I work, a multiple pharmacy group in Lincolnshire, always recommend the purchase of pre-payment certificates where there is an obvious cost saving to the patient. There is no benefit to pharmacies in not recommending purchase of a certificate as all prescription levies collected go directly to the government anyway. It would appear that those who missed out simply went to the wrong pharmacy where patient care was not high on the agenda.

16-02-2004, 11:09 PM

I agree completely with Alistair. Some of you should definately change your pharmacy to one that actually has a high standard of patient care.

I work as a dispenser in a pharmacy and just want to say that i always try to tell my customers about any benefits i can. I always tell them about pre-payment certificates. i also always tell people if they can buy their medicine without a prescription.

Pregnant women also get free prescriptions until their child's first birthday.

I have just had a baby and as a result of the birth i am now taking 4 different medicines so i can appreciate that it is very expensive to pay when you are on regular medication. However I also want to point out that it isn't as bad as a lot of people think. Some drugs are extremely expensive. I wasn't was prescribed medications for shingles and a weeks course cost over £100, I paid just £6ish (can't remember exactly how much prescriptions were then.)

Another way to save money (sometimes) is to get the medications on private prescriptions (if your doctor will agree). Things like amoxicillin do work out cheaper. However pharmacy do have a mark up and the large chain that i work for will charge £4 as a minimum, regardless of how much the drug costs.

17-02-2004, 10:31 AM

You can also backdate the cert. for up to a month so you can claim back for any prescriptions within the last month that you have paid for already. (I should point out that to do this you will need an NHS reciept - big brown form - which the chemist will give you if asked) - you then take this with your Prepayment Cert. to the Post Office for a refund.

This obviously varies by Health Authority - in BroTaf (Cardiff area), you can only backdate by 7 days and they must RECEIVE your application within 7 days of the date you put your prescription in to the chemist's.

I strongly support using the 4 month card and being sure to get your last prescription in close to the expiry date. Also see if you are getting 30 days' worth of some tablets and only 28 of others - ask your GP if you can synchronise. 28 has its advantages if you can reorder on the same weekday every time - you won't find yourself running out on half day closing day or weekends.

18-02-2004, 1:44 PM

As Alistair and Plumpmouse said, most pharmacies I've ever visited have a) checked whether I have a pre-payment certificate and b) if the item is cheaper to buy than pay the prescription charge they have issued it that way (and yes, this includes busy city-centre branches of big chains).

Also, do people not look at the back of their prescriptions?

Part 1, Box F asks whether you have a valid prescription pre-payment certificate.

... or the back of the counterfoil on computerised repeat prescriptions (which most Practices have been using for seceral years), where there is information about the pre-payment certificates.

I'm fairly sure my surgery waiting-room has a poster up as well ...

Maybe the more general lessons that apply to all money-saving are keep your eyes open, and shop around!

nomadic

23-02-2004, 2:15 AM

Well to add my 2p worth.... My Asthma nurse offeres me a private prescription for "Ventolin" as it was cheaper than the normal prescription price by about 20-30p, not much I know but it's the principle!

24-02-2004, 6:08 PM

hi all
I am sticking up for my doc! She was more than happy to tell me all about pre-payment certificates without my asking. But it is true that they are not well promoted.

You can also buy it online at

http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc_intro.htm

Louise

08-04-2004, 11:02 AM

I highly recommend that parents buy these prescription certificates for their children with medical conditions before they send them off to university

At a recent Asthma Conference , they said that many students have bad asthma attacks because they ran out of their inhalers and didn't know how to renew.

The certificate is good at any chemist in the country so students can go into the chemist close to uni and get their medicines refilled.

It could save their life.

Carol -spec needs mum

Galstonian

08-04-2004, 1:40 PM

"many students have bad asthma attacks because they ran out of their inhalers and didn't know how to renew."

The cream of the crop. The top minds of tomorrow. Our hope for the future. Don't know how to go to a pharmacist. Maybe it was something they smoked?

marvin

11-04-2004, 9:41 PM

The medical conditions are
a permanent fistula (for example caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or requiring an appliance

forms of hypoadrenalism (for example Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential

diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism

diabetes mellitus except where treatment is by diet alone

hypoparathyroidism

myasthenia gravis

myxoedema

epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy

a continuing physical disability which means the person cannot go out without the help of another person. Temporary disabilities do not count even if they last for several months.

http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/medex.htm
for more details

The last one is the one that interested me as even benefits advice professionals did not know about that one. But be aware it does not mean a broken leg it does mean real life lasting physical disabilities.

Your DR has the form and they have to fill most of it in and send it off so ask the receptionist for form FP92A, put your name and address on it and hand it back.

22-04-2004, 10:45 PM

My ex gets child tax credits.In the post today she got a pre-paid certificate for herself and all 3 children (and any partner).The covering letter just said that she was entitled to this as she was claiming child tax - she did not apply for it.

23-04-2004, 2:22 AM

I phoned the number on the back of the repeat prescription, and the operator was helpful, and took a few details (like "is the person you are calling on behalf of turning blue?" - a question she said she had to ask!) just to find out about a possible reduction in charges, I wasn't asking for free! She took down all the details and someone phoned back 4 hours later. They sent me an HC1 form to fill in 'Claim for help with health costs' through the NHS Low Income Scheme. It looks like you might be able to get partial help if you are claiming Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit or Tax Credits Award. I have searched through to find where it states what the low income actually is and if you live with someone as a partner, their earnings, savings and benefits are classed as combined income.

The most important thing I can add is that if you are Welsh you can get free prescriptions/dental examinations until you are 25!!!! ;D

The HC1 form is very thorough (complex! ???) but you can get a form by ringing the Health Benefits Division number on 0845 850 1166, Mon-Fri 0800-1800.

MSE Martin

23-04-2004, 8:32 PM

max - what a wonderful post - thank you. I'm going to move it to the beginning of the thread.

martin

25-04-2004, 3:04 AM

Details of the help you can get with health costs in set out in the leaflet HC11 which you can download from here
http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/07/80/85/04078085.pdf

May I also stress the criteria a continuing physical disability which means the person cannot go out without the help of another person. set out here
http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/medex.htm

It probably includes most folk on DLA Higher Rate mobility who aren't aware they could have free prescriptions.

Folk on Tax credits should also read the leaflet here

WTC6 Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. Other types of help you may be able to get
August 2003
http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/pdfs/wtc6.pdf

Ted_Hutchinson

25-04-2004, 12:44 PM

One point I forgot last night is that the law regarding Low Income and Prescription Charges was changed by Statutory Instrument earlier this month.

Now if your total weekly income is up to half (£3.20) the current prescription charge (£6.40) more than the amount the law says you need to live on you can still get free prescriptions.

Before the cut off point was the amount the law says you need to live on (applicable amount) so one penny more than you would get on Income Support meant you had to pay.

If you want to find out how much the law says you need to live on is you can;
Phone BEL 0800 88 22 00 and ask for an Applicable Amount calculation.
Use an online Web Benefit Calculator
http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/benefits/wbc-03.htm example only, your local authority may have it's own.
or use the information here to work it out yourself
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/income_support.htm

It's probably a good idea to try to use all methods as even the DWP can get it wrong.

mutley74

29-04-2004, 1:30 PM

Private Prescriptions
However antibiotics are incredibly cheap so next time you need some ask your doctor if he is willing to write a private prescription. If he is all you will need to pay is around £4.00 instead of £6.40.

maybe a dumb question, but what is a private prescription, and how is this different to a normal prescription, i have never heard of this before.

another tip: is aks around between close family if they have any spare unused medicines/creams that you may need to use. E..g i bought some T-gel recently ,but just a few days afterwards my dad told me had a spare unused bottle, as he could not use it any more. Would have saved me some £s and saved a bottle from the bin.

Savvy_Sue

29-04-2004, 8:24 PM

Be VERY careful about sharing medicines! Is the dosage / strength the same? Is there any risk of infection from sharing creams / lotions / ointments? Is it really the same stuff as you've been prescribed?

Both my son and my husband have eczema. I sometimes use my husband's industrial size of prescribed moisturiser, but only because it's got a pump dispenser. My son has various ointments, and they are strictly for him because of the risk of cross-infection. (Believe me, you wouldn't want to go there!)

29-04-2004, 9:11 PM

Just wondering..

At the mo, I get free prescriptions as I'm 17, but might have to pay when older if I can't get them from the low income scheme.

At the moment my doctor prescribes me, among other things, big tubs of paracetamol and ibuprofen(i have a chronic pain disorder), at about 200 a time. It would work out as at most half as expensive to get them just over the counter, rather than paying the prescription charge.

however shops, chemists etc aren't allowed to sell you 200 paracetamol in one go over the counter, and it would be a bit of a pain in the bum to get them 16 at a time or whatever, so I was just wondering if it's possible to have some kind of "prescription" saying that this person needs 200 paracetamol at once, but then me pay for them as normal rather than prescription charge..

If I can get my doctor to write my other prescription for more than one month at once, tho, it would work out cheaper to get a pre-pay certificate..

Anyway, anyone know?

thanks
Rosie

29-04-2004, 9:22 PM

Anybody who needs Viagra on private prescription should consider shopping around. The fairly standard price for a prescripton of four 100mg tablets is £36. Moss Chemists offer this at £29.60. Buy the stronger dose and cut it up if you want to save the maximum amount.

Anybody requiring the stronger dose will regularly have to fork out £9 per tablet but you can reduce this to about £7.35. I assume Moss Chemists still make a profit and I don't see why other Chemists should profit further from active sex.

Is this a strange form of taxation for the unfortunate ones that have difficulties of such erectile disfunction simply because the government decide not to fund this drug. Do women have to pay for HRT? I rather doubt it. :-[ :-[

29-04-2004, 11:05 PM

If you live near the Welsh border it's worth taking your prescription to Welsh pharmacy as they only charge £6.
However, this will be free in the future but you will have to be registered with a Wesh GP then.

30-04-2004, 12:09 PM

I have been doing this for the past 2 yeras and it saves me hundreds as i have to get my pain killers every month as by law they can not prescribe more than 28 days at a time (ridiculous I know) but one way to squeeze mmore out of the law abiding tax paying person.
Hello All

It always seems everyone else knows something you don't but if this small tip helps just one person save money then that will do me.

I 1 item on prescription cost £6.20 and for the past 7 years or so until 2002 I was having to get about 3 items a month minimum which per year is ££223.20 visiting the chemist every time AND YET not one of them told me you can get 4 monthly and annual certs - not even the doctor who issues the prescription every month to me. 1 amount then as many prescriptions as needed. 4 months costs £32.40 and yearly £89. This may seem a lot but look at my saving £223.20 minus £89 a massive £134.20 a year AND that is just on regular medication for my condition let alone the odd prescription here and there that every needs.

Strange how I never saw this advertised they say millions goes unclaimed in benefits (like most people I don't like to be seen as though I am sponging off the state, but I work full time and there is nothing illegal about it).

Anyway, what with this years NI rises I know feel no compunction claiming this.

Hope this helps at least one person or maybe somebody you know.

Paul !:)

insert from Martin A breakdown of savings
Further on in this discussion pharmacist Maxad2002, produced a summary of ways to save. !It was so good i thought i'd bring it to the top. !Here it is.

Hi!
I work in a Pharmacy and am constantly amazed that so few people read their prescription or read the notices that we have to display in the shop.
Here are some tips for you on how to save on prescription charges.

Cheaper to Buy over the Counter!!
With many prescriptions especially for short term conditions like a fungal infection it is cheaper to buy over the counter. So next time you take a prescription ask, most chemists will tell you and you can save a packet. For example Daktarin cream 30g on prescription is £6.40 but over the counter for the same cream is £4.99!!

HRT and Two Charge items
There are certain things that two charges have to be paid and generally this is when there are two items in one box such as two tablets or a cream and a tablet.
The only way to get round this cost is to ask your doctor for two or three months supply instead of one or see what the maximum the doctor is willing to supply.
so instead of £12.80 for 6 months supply you could get 12months supply for same cost.

Private Prescriptions !
Many of us have to take antibiotics at some time in our life and at the time all you think about is taking them. However antibiotics are incredibly cheap so next time you need some ask your doctor if he is willing to write a private prescription. If he is all you will need to pay is around £4.00 instead of £6.40.
* please not this goes for antibiotics like amoxycillin, penicillin, metrondiazole and erythromycin. *

Low income
Other people have already mentioned it on this chat but if you are at uni or don't earn much ask for a hc2 form from your local pharmacy, theres quite a lot of q's but it's well worth it.

Prepayment forms
Preypayment forms are just like bus passes and enable you to claim free prescriptions for a certain amount of time. The forms are available from your local chemist and you can either fill it in or phone up.
To work out if it would be cheaper for you all you need to do is add up how many prescriptions you have over a year and if it is more than two a month it is cheaper for a 12 month certificate. !
If you have more than 3 a month over four months then it is cheaper for a four month certificate.
The main thing to remember is this if you are considering a claim then !get a NHS RECIEPT!! this is a form that once you obtained the certificate you can claim the money back from the post office. !
They last three months from the time you pay the prescription charge so it's well worth getting.

Well i hope these tips help. These are the basics and are designed to compliment what other people have said on here. !
The main thing is don't be embarrassed about asking because i can bet you that the person on the counter would if they were in your situation!!

:D

Belper25

30-04-2004, 12:31 PM

Having had the National Health Service in operation for so long, there is a tendency for people to forget that both GPs and pharmacists are contractors with the NHS, not employees. In return for specified payments, they provide NHS services.

However, both GPs and pharmacists are also free to provide non NHS services. These are generally referred to as private services. For pharmacists this includes the supply of medicinces and advice "over the counter" without prescription - they receive no payment from the NHS for offering this service (even when the advice does not involve a sale of a product).

For GPs it includes consultations outside the NHS. For example offering health checks for employers, confirming passport applications and offering private consultations.

Where a GP provides a private consultation, they then will write a private prescription. A private prescription is one where the patient pays all charges, none are passed on to the NHS.

As previous writers have commented this may then result in a charge lower than the NHS prescription charge. However, it is the decision of the pharmacist what fee to charge - so it is worth shopping around.

It is probably worth noting that a GP should only issue a private prescription after a private consultation. If you have accessed the GP under the NHS, you should be given an NHS prescription. A GP may charge for a private consultation. So do check.

Hope that helps,

Matthew

nickygee

01-05-2004, 11:08 PM

I recently had to go to the doctor and was prescribed a vast amount of stuff. My doctor pointed out about the certificate because I regurlarly need to get stuff. When I got to the pharmacist she pointed out I could back date the form a couple of days so all the stuff I was getting was included. overall I found the service very good from my nice friendly doctor.

max2002ad

03-05-2004, 6:03 AM

Hi!!
Well i am really glad that my last post has simulated so much feedback, conversation and debate.
I am so glad that the last post had such a pleasant experience from your doctor and your pharmacist.
Your health profressionals do have a lot of knowledge that they are only too pleased to help with.
All you need to do is ask!!
However you may find it easier asking advice off your local pharmacy about many matters as we have are in the best position to advise about saving money from prescriptions.

I can't explain private prescriptions better than Belper25 but i can add these two points.
The first point is that many doctors are quite willing to write private prescriptions and the only way you are going to findout is ask!!
The second point is that every chain of pharmacys work out their private prescription charges differently. Quite often the best are going to be small independents as they are often eager to get what can be quite a profitable business. So next time ask an independent how much it will cost and once they have quoted a price say you can get it cheaper and see what they say!!

Now to Crana99.
By Law You can only buy a pack of 16 from a normal shop such as a supermarket.
This is to try and stop or at least reduce suicides (it's been working btw!!)
However pharmacys can sell packs of 32 and if you ask the pharmacist they will be able to sell up to 96 tablets.
HOWEVER this is up to the pharmacist in charge of the pharmacy so it would be best for you to go to the pharmacy you obtain your prescriptions and explain the general situation.
However as a general point for run of the mill items like large amounts of ibuprofen or paracetamol you could ask your doctor for a private prescription and quite often it will be cheaper than a prescription!!

A final Money saving Point for You
Did you realise that the charges go up every 1st of april so if you have a prescription take it to the pharmacy before then and you save yourself 10p.
It may only be 10p but thats 10p the government aren't getting on April Fools Day!!!!

Hope this helps people and remember this, Pharmacists and pharmacys only collect Prescription charges they don't get to keep the money!! :) 8)

09-05-2004, 1:50 PM

RE; astma treatments we were told that if you know the right drugs/inhalers then you can buy them over the counter of any pharmacy in spain without prescription and they are much cheaper and you can stock up as much as you like or can afford.This was the case last year and I dont think its changed.
also if you have relations /friends they could get it for you :)I totally agree with Ian about Asthma sufferes having to pay for their perscriptions,my husband suffers with it and i dont think they should have to pay.
:)

Belper25

11-05-2004, 7:34 PM

I suppose just a quick comment with regard to managing asthma.

Many people with asthma will be on two inhalers - a brown one which prevents the asthma worsening and a blue one which relieves breathlessness. (Colours and shades will vary - ask your pharmacist for advice).

There is a school of thought (anecdotal evidence) that people with asthma may choose only to have the blue inhaler - because it does something. The brown one is possibly more important as it stops the condition getting worse, which in itself offers a long term saving.

There are some proposals to make it easier to obtain the reliever in the UK - watch this space. In the meantime, salbutamol (the main blue inhaler) may be one of the products it is cheaper to obtain on a private prescription.

When buying medicines in other countries, always look for a product license or a manufacturer you know. you will probably be fine for purchases within Europe - but should exercise due caution if travelling further afield.

If you are already taking medicines, check with the pharmacist - either abroad or when you return - at the earliest opportunity, to make sure that the medicine is safe for you.

We have friends in America who raved about a supermarket product for 'flu'. Over here it is a prescription only product, causes stomach ulcers and mixes dangerously with other drugs!

Stay safe!

Matthew

25-05-2004, 5:01 PM

For people who need prescriptions every month ,ask your doc to give you one prescripton to cover 2-3 months ,therefore saving dosh .

Savvy_Sue

27-05-2004, 1:56 AM

Prepayment forms
Preypayment forms are just like bus passes and enable you to claim free prescriptions for a certain amount of time. The forms are available from your local chemist and you can either fill it in or phone up.
If only it were that simple!

Yesterday I went into the Lloyds Pharmacy near where I work. The pharmacist said no, I couldn't get a form there, I would have to go to the PO.

There isn't a PO near work, so I tried to drive home to my local PO and chemist. Didn't make it before closing time, so today I went to main PO. Horrendous queue, but I found the leaflet stand and was about to go on my way rejoicing when I realised that the slot labelled 'DOH Prescriptions' was in fact full of cards on which to save stamps towards my car tax ...

Fortunately there's a 'Philately and Gifts' counter, so I craftily asked them whether there would be forms behind the counter if they didn't have any in the leaflet holder. They phoned across the room and told me that no, there weren't any such leaflets available because they were no longer available from POs, I would have to go the chemist and ask for the phone no. of the local Health Authority.

I sped off to Boots, somewhat irritated at being given the run around by Lloyds and the PO, and was immediately given a form. I asked about the official receipt I'd need if I wanted to backdate the PPC, and the pharmacist showed me what to do on the application form to do that.

He also told me that in some places you can buy PPCs at the pharmacy, but not everywhere, and not in Bristol. They are no longer issued by the Health Authority, so the PO was wrong about that too.

Savvy_Sue

27-05-2004, 2:05 AM

I think some of the respondents to this subject should re-consider where they obtain their prescriptions from.
<snip>
It would appear that those who missed out simply went to the wrong pharmacy where patient care was not high on the agenda.
Counsel of perfection, Alastair!

You don't always know what the patient care is like until it's too late, for one thing. And sometimes it's just difficult to get to a 'good' pharmacy within the time available.

Absolute classic with my son, btw. With hindsight I should have left him in the car while I went to get some antibiotics for him (he's big enough to make that a safe option). He had his trouser leg and shirt sleeve rolled up to display a very messy leg and elbow. Assistant - who I know slightly - said to son "What's wrong with you then?" Me: "You don't want to know." Her: "Did you fall off your bike then?" Me: "You really don't want to know."

It was very tempting to announce to a shop full of old ladies that my son had impetigo mixed with eczema, but I refrained.

Ted_Hutchinson

27-05-2004, 4:38 AM

You can order and pay for your Prescription Pre-payment Certificates (PPCs) online here

https://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc/do/PatientOrderPage

27-05-2004, 12:55 PM

Re: Welsh prescription charges. You are at liberty to take an NHS prescription from England to Wales if you wish (or vice versa), so you can get your "English" prescription dispensed cheaper in Wales than in England (£6 compared to £6.40 at present). It does not matter where you live, nor which doctor has signed the prescription. If you are under 25 you can have the prescription free in Wales (again, it doesn't matter where you/the prescription come from). However, it costs nearly a fiver to cross the Severn Bridge!

max2002ad

06-06-2004, 6:17 AM

Just a quick response to Savvy Sue.

I am sorry to hear that you didn't receive good service from your local pharmacy.
I have worked for lloyds for 8 years and i and the people i work with do try to help as much as possible.
However it's not always possible when it's very busy or the request isn't very clear.
A New leaftlet has recently come out that details many of the possible ways of getting help with health costs, Such as tax credits, exemption certs etc.
The leaflet is called "Help with Health Costs - A Quick Guide".
We keep them in stock and i know that the our local Gp's have them too.
However they are quite new so you may not be able to find them every where.
There is a phone number you can phone for further information and advice about saving on prescriptions.

The Number is 0845 850 1166.
Sorry i don't know what the non 0845 number is.

Hope this helps some people out there

Max
Ps if anyone needs further clarification on what i have in any message either reply or send me a message. :)

30-06-2004, 10:52 PM

they appear to have computerised the prepayment system now. i get a little credit card sized certificate to say i've paid up to a certain date (much better than the paper certificates because you have to show it to the pharmacist and you can keep a credit card sized one with you at all times whereas i was always losing or forgetting the old paper one).

a couple of weeks before my certificate is due to run out i get a reminder letter, with the option of renewing my certificate by post. you can choose your date for renewal, so i always renew all of my prescriptions just before it runs out, then wait until i need another prescription before renewing it. i can stockpile my medicines and wait a month or two before getting more, so i only buy two 4-month certificates per year. i pay £33.40 for each certificate.

in the past i've picked up a new prescription, ticked to say i have a certificate then gone home and posted my renewal letter asking for it to be renewed from that day onwards. you tell the pharmacist your certificate is being renewed and you haven't received it yet. she marks the prescription to say that she hasn't seen any evidence of your certificate, then the powers that be can check up on you if they want to, and if they do then the records will show that you were covered for that date.

filigree

01-07-2004, 1:28 AM

The DSE regs state that your employers only have to provide free glasses if they are exclusively for your work. For folks with good eyesight, glasses are not necessary anyway. About 5% of specs wearers will have vision problems at the focal length of 18-24 inches ie the usual distance from eye to monitor. The vast majority of specs wearers are like me - our ordinary everyday glasses are fine for computer use. Your employers are only supposed to fund your out of pocket optical expenses which arise specifically from the work you are required to do.

Some employers might be more generous but as the rules stand, very few employees qualify for free specs. Put your cynical consumer hats on for a moment - do you really think any government would pass a law guaranteeing free glasses for the masses?! ::)

mutley74

08-07-2004, 6:43 PM

what is the approx money (profit) made by a pharmacist for a prescrition? Is it by item and is it by prescrition and is it a fixed fee, or dependant on the medicine dispensed and what price the NHS pay them and what price they sourced it at?

reason is, we submit every 2-3 weeks a huge order to a local pharmcist for our kids medicines, and when we have asked for a spare plastic spoon or syringe, then will not honour.

Sam_26

16-07-2004, 3:01 AM

A pharmacist earns a mere 94.6p per item dispensed on a prescription. On top of that cost there is around 3p extra for the bag and spoon. They are reluctant to supply an oral syringe as these cost around 50p, which totally erodes any margin.

The other way they can make extra money is out of the difference in the NHS price and the price they buy the goods at. This currently is at an all time low, due to the NHS cottoning on to this and persistantly reducing their price in line.

Hope this helps on why they like spoons and blister packs and less stationary items save money

what is the approx money (profit) made by a pharmacist for a prescrition? Is it by item and is it by prescrition and is it a fixed fee, or dependant on the medicine dispensed and what price the NHS pay them and what price they sourced it at?

reason is, we submit every 2-3 weeks a huge order to a local pharmcist for our kids medicines, and when we have asked for a spare plastic spoon or syringe, then will not honour.