Care at the Chemist

jet44 wrote:

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned here but if you are entitled to free prscriptions then you can also register for Care at the Chemist.
It is primarily for minor ailments but well worth it as medicines can be quite expensive. You have to register with one chemist but you can receive treatment free for many minor ailments. I can't find much on the internet about it but my chemist did say that they didn't want everyone to know about it so I guess the NHS is trying to keep a lid on this one.

Are there any criteria for this? What I mean is, I get free prescriptions because I am on thyroxine for life. Would care at the chemist apply to me, or is it for people who qualify for free prescriptions because they are on benefits?

I saw this advertised once at a chemist back home in sheffield, its been taken down since and not seen it here down south, I wasnt sure it was a national thing?

if it is i may use it in the future

jet44 wrote:

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned here but if you are entitled to free prscriptions then you can also register for Care at the Chemist.
It is primarily for minor ailments but well worth it as medicines can be quite expensive. You have to register with one chemist but you can receive treatment free for many minor ailments. I can't find much on the internet about it but my chemist did say that they didn't want everyone to know about it so I guess the NHS is trying to keep a lid on this one.

So if I register for it at Boots will I get even more points AND free stuff??!!:T

jet44 wrote:

I've no idea but always worth a try. If you don't ask you don't get has always been a fav of mine.:D

I've just googled it and it doesnt appear to be as simple as it seemed. Surprise surprise. It dates back to 2001 and it seems that if you ring your surgery for an appt because of one of the 12 listed minor complaints, they offer to refer you to the pharmacist. If you agree they fill out a form for you to present to the pharmacist who receives £1.50 for his trouble. it's because patients who get free prescriptions prefer to attend the GP for minor ailments as they will get their paracetamol, hair lice lotion, indigestion remedies etc FOC. This way they still get them free but the GP doesnt have to waste valuable time on them.

Probably best if you wear your jumble sale clothes and go to a chemist in an area with lots of peeps on benefits. No offence. (viz The Fast Show)

jet44 wrote:

It was simple here and I didn't have to phone my GP at all. I first went to the chemist in my local Tesco who explained the scheme, gave me a leaflet and application forms.
I decided to use a different chemist nearer to my home so I took the completed forms to the chemist and they gave me the medication I needed for the particular problem. Very simple in my opinion.

I'm not sure what you mean about wearing my jumble sale clothes and going to an area with lots of peeps on benefits though. That seems a little disrepectful to me. I know you stated no offence but it is still an offensive remark to make regardless.

I am on benefits as a carer for my 2 disabled children so I don't need to go anywhere to look poor. I am poor.

Sorry, I didnt mean it to sound like that. I've been in your position - had 2 kids on DLA myself. However, mine are older now and I have gone back to work so no longer get the benefits we once relied on to survive. I would feel a bit of a fraud as the only reason I get free prescriptions is because the medication I am on is a lifetime thing.