Cheapest Prescriptions and Medications Discussion

Emma_london_2

I haven't read all the posts so some of this may have already been said!

I used too work as a healthcare assisstant in boots before starting uni and am now in my final year at medical school so I might know some stuff of use if you're interested!

Branded products to beware of in terms of cost are painkillers, especially migraleve yellow which is actually just paracetamol and codeine. There is about a £4 difference a pack of migraleve yellow and boots paracetamol and codeine and the boots is a 32 pack!

If I didn't know much about medicines i would generally use a boots chemist as the healthcare assisstants are trained to ask specific question about if a drug you buy would be safe for you. For example, most people don't know that decongestants aren't advised if you have high blood pressure. Some other medications aren't to be used to diabetics and asthmatics. This isn't just prescription meds but OTC (over the counter) and herbal remedies. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist if a drug will interect with any medicines or conditions you have. You would be amazed how weird and wonderful they are - trust me I'm trying to learn them all!

andybrighton_2

From July 2007, you can pay for the twelve monthly PPC by direct debit - spreading the cost over the year. To buy a Pre-payment Certificate, either phone 0845 850 0030 during office hours or go to the
web site https://www.ppa.org.uk/ppc.

taney

Hi,I am a new to this thread...can't understand everything...bit dumbo...hope someone can help me..I have to collect my prescription today.It has got 4items so in total I have to pay £28.So will a PPC cover all the 4items?If I apply for the PPC today online,will I have to pay at pharmacy as well & will have to apply for refund later?Secondaly,can I claim my previous prescription in last 3-4months...but i haven't got the refund recipts?

digital

From http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc_intro.htm '[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]People who have to pay for more than 3 prescription items in 3 months, or 14 items in 12 months, could save money by buying a PPC. From 1 April 2007, the charge for a single prescription item is £6.85, whereas a 3-month PPC will cost you £26.85 and a 12-month PPC £98.70. To help spread the cost you can now choose to pay for the 12-month PPC by 10 monthly Direct Debit instalments'.

Easiest thing to do is to get the items and pay for them, asking for a receipt (you *must* get it at the same time as you get the items), and then apply for a PPC later. Don't forget to ask for it to start on the date you got the items/receipt, and there is a limit on how long you can wait before applying for it.

Having said that, some pharmacies can issue PPCs so it might be worth asking.

As for previous items, no receipt, no refund.
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