prescription costs - any help?

Nicky321

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, didnt know where to post it.

My son turned 19 on 21st June 2010 and is a FT University Student. He has been suffering from anxiety and depression on and off since September 2009 which he has been seeing the doctor for. Over the last few days his depression has gotten worse and I was getting worried, so I took him to the doctors and she has prescribed anti depressants for the time being on a week to week basis. My concern is he has no income other than his student finance which he will have to pay back in time and the doctor will only prescribe 1 weeks tablets at a time which I am thinking he will have to pay £7.20 a time totalling nearly £30.00 a month! Would he be entitled to any help with these costs? Im not sure how long he would need to take these tablets.
thanks in advance.

Indie_Kid

He needs to get a HC1 form from his GP. If he's not entitled because of his income, he may want to look into buying a pre-payment certificate.

Nicky321

sh1305 wrote: »

He needs to get a HC1 form from his GP. If he's not entitled because of his income, he may want to look into buying a pre-payment certificate.

Thankyou, he has no income as such other than his Student Loan (which he will have to pay back) Maintenance Grant and he works 6 hours per week for national minimum wage for 19 year olds. He also has a 1 year old daughter who he has 50% of the time and needs to pay for food, nappies, etc.

Indie_Kid

His loan and grant will be taken into consideration. However, money is disregarded for books and travel.

daska

HERE is the info on applying for free prescriptions

Prepayment Certificates:
£28.25 for a 3-month PPC; and
£104.00 for a 12-month PPC.

If he does have to pay and it looks as if it could go on for several months, it's worth bearing in mind that the yearly pre-payment certificate can be paid in 10 monthly installments.

missdee85

Well i have just seen a very helpful thread on this site about the nhs low income scheme cant remember the OP's name but the thread was just called nhs - low income scheme - dont know if you can find it by doing a search with that or whatever.

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1125.aspx - thats the link that i looked up, i didn't apply though as i was looking for my sister.

Good luck to your son, i hope with the support you are showing he comes out the other side much stronger, have been there myself and i know its not a nice situation.

Good luck to you both
xx

GlasweJen

Could you not ask your doctor to write a prescription for 2 months worth of anti-depression but get it for a weekly dispense? Our pharmacy has a lot of these prescriptions, the pharmacist would give out the next instalment and let your son know when he's due to see the doctor again?

Failing that it's the HC1 form which takes outgoings as well as incomings into account for students, if he lives with you they wont take any dig money he pays out into account and with a loan and grant he probably wont get the full HC2 but may get some help on an HC3. He could also get a prepayment card as above or, depending on how badly affected he is his doctor may be able to sign him a medical exemption form for free prescriptions on the grounds that he can't leave the house without assistance.

paulofessex

Don't forget to obtain any receipts for prescription charges until you have explored the avenues above as your son may be able to claim the money back

[Deleted User]

if he has his daughter 50% of the time is he not entitled to 50% of CB and 50% of ctc?,which might be £37 per week.
Also he shouldnt be worrying about repaying his student loan,thats in the future.
The advice about the HC1 or pre payment is the best you will get.

kizzy2010

not sure about the financial side. but i know from personal experience that they wont keep him on weekly prescriptions for long. this is just so they can keep an eye on how is doing with the pills. once the doctor is happy that they are working and they are right for him, he will move onto monthly then maybe 3 monthly prescriptions