Give asthmatics free inhalers

Legacy_user

I am asthmatic and live in England.I am disgusted that asthmatics that live in England have to pay for their inhalers. Some asthmatics are on 3 different types.

If we don't use inhalers when we need them, we will die.

hips12

Absolutely agree!
I am on 3 different inhalers which I have to take twice daily.
Never understood why we have slipped under the radar.
2000 people a year are still dying from severe asthma attacks.


Hips12

DomRavioli

Asthma can get better, hence why it isn't on the chronic list as there is a possibility of improvement; those that are on the list are those that will never improve - so yes, you have to pay, along with the hundreds of thousands who also have conditions which may improve including the majority of mental health patients, whom without their medication would put so much strain on both the health care system and social care systems that they would break under the pressure.

Not to mention many many other illnesses.

savemoney

I never understand why its excluded either. That said I also have to pay for my high blood pressue. I just pay a yearly prescription now as it works out slightly cheaper. I also have to take pain killers but that's for short term, broke my wrist

hips12

DomRavioli wrote: »

Asthma can get better, hence why it isn't on the chronic list as there is a possibility of improvement; those that are on the list are those that will never improve - so yes, you have to pay, along with the hundreds of thousands who also have conditions which may improve including the majority of mental health patients, whom without their medication would put so much strain on both the health care system and social care systems that they would break under the pressure.

Not to mention many many other illnesses.

Im sorry but I have had asthma since I was a child, I am now 53.
I have to take steroids a couple of times a year when it gets bad..and as well as 3 inhalers I take a nightly tablet too...that is 4 meds for 1 condition.
I admit that children can grow out of asthma but those of us who dont, have to take increasing amounts of medication to try and keep on top of it
If it wasnt a life threatening condition I would agree with your stance ...the nhs isnt a bottomless pit after all, and I expect to pay for my bp meds and statins as it IS possible to improve through lifestyle changes but I have no control over my asthma.

Hips12

pauletruth

we are lucky and live in scotland. the daughter is on 3 inhalers and 3 tablets and needs gluten free food. its so unfair that your made to pay. by the time a child has reached adulthood and their need has crept up then they are not going togetting better.

DomRavioli

hips12 wrote: »

Im sorry but I have had asthma since I was a child, I am now 53.
I have to take steroids a couple of times a year when it gets bad..and as well as 3 inhalers I take a nightly tablet too...that is 4 meds for 1 condition.
I admit that children can grow out of asthma but those of us who dont, have to take increasing amounts of medication to try and keep on top of it
If it wasnt a life threatening condition I would agree with your stance ...the nhs isnt a bottomless pit after all, and I expect to pay for my bp meds and statins as it IS possible to improve through lifestyle changes but I have no control over my asthma.

Hips12

and I've worked with people who have had schizophrenia for 45 years, who have worked intermittently and still have to pay for the carrier bags of medication per month (thank god for prepay certificates, otherwise it would be around £90 per month for her medication on average)

Reality check! buy a pre-pay certificate, there isn't enough money to treat all conditions as they are changeable and not constant (as in you won't always feel as bad as your worst day, whereas someone with epilepsy runs the risk of hundreds of fits a day, most of the time which are uncontrollable, and require neurosurgery, likely incurable and untreatable even with the strongest meds so they get theirs paid).

The majority of other countries make you pay for private prescription, be thankful you have the NHS to fall back on.

Oh and by the way, I have a thyroid condition. I take 29 tablets daily, and I pay for all 29 of them; it will be increasing to around 40 a day in the next couple of months - give me an inhaler and steroids a couple of times a year any day!

laurel7172

I would die in days without my medication, and it isn't free. Not sure why asthma is a special case? NHS resources aren't infinite, and an annual prepay certificate not that expensive. Especially if you've lived abroad and appreciate how much healthcare actually costs.

Mistymoonie

I'm on dialysis & currently get free prescriptions( due to needing daily dressings) but once I get a transplant I will need daily anti rejection pills & I will have to pay once I have transplant, so it will be back to pre pay for me. Crazy I will have to pay for meds to keep me alive

lisyloo

I am hypothyroid and I get free prescriptions (only 2 per year for that).
That means my hay fever and anything else I need is free.

I'm not saying this to be smug, just pointing out that the system doesn't seem to be fair.

Indie_Kid

DomRavioli wrote: »

Asthma can get better, hence why it isn't on the chronic list as there is a possibility of improvement; those that are on the list are those that will never improve.

Same with some other medical conditions too. It is a chronic illness.

I can't understand why medication isn't free for people in England - it's free everywhere else in the UK.

there isn't enough money to treat all conditions as they are changeable and not constant

But it would be cheaper than having to admit someone to hospital because they're having an asthma attack. For many, (including me) everyday things like aerosol cans can set it off. Before I was given clenil, I was at a real risk of not being able to breathe at night - even if I took my blue inhaler.

It may not be constant (but neither is epilepsy - my dad went a good 6 months without having one) but it's a very serious medical condition.