MSE News: Cost of NHS prescriptions and dental care to rise next month

theoretica

Ames wrote: »

And what about people who need more expensive medication but can't afford hundreds or thousands a month for them?

I think the poster was refering to the cost being printed on the packet - not to being charged it.

antrobus

theoretica wrote: »

I think the poster was refering to the cost being printed on the packet - not to being charged it.

Well, that's what I was originally referring to. You don't get charged the cost of meds on discharge from hospital, you don't pay anything for meds in a NHS hospital. Crumbs, if you're in enough pain, they give you class A drugs for free.

Nick_C

Nick_C wrote: »

The thing that annoys me is when the prescription costs much more than the drug. I use generic betnovate. About 30g a year. If I could buy it OTC it would be about £3.

Ames wrote: »

Have you asked for a private prescription for it?

I've not. I thought GPs charged for private prescriptions? I'll ask when I get the next one. Thanks.

The cream itself costs £1.89!!

https://www.weldricks.co.uk/products/betamethasone-valerate-cream-30g

And I've just checked my GP's website. They charge £25 for issuing a private prescription!!

Ames

theoretica wrote: »

I think the poster was refering to the cost being printed on the packet - not to being charged it.

antrobus wrote: »

Well, that's what I was originally referring to. You don't get charged the cost of meds on discharge from hospital, you don't pay anything for meds in a NHS hospital. Crumbs, if you're in enough pain, they give you class A drugs for free.

Ah, I misunderstood, apologies.

Nick_C wrote: »

I've not. I thought GPs charged for private prescriptions? I'll ask when I get the next one. Thanks.

The cream itself costs £1.89!!

https://www.weldricks.co.uk/products/betamethasone-valerate-cream-30g

And I've just checked my GP's website. They charge £25 for issuing a private prescription!!

That's a shame, some do it for free if the meds are cheaper. You could ask them next time you see them though, if it's a once or twice a year thing. After all it doesn't cost them anything extra to print it off if you're being issued it in person.

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Kim_13

antrobus wrote: »

Only about 10% of the English pay prescription charges. There is a long list of exemptions, including 'people over 60'.

That doesn't make it right, in fact the medical exemptions just increase the unfairness. Transplant patients still have to pay, even though they would die without the medicines. Likewise asthmatics are likely to have issues if they don't get their inhalers. Then there those with a qualifying condition, who get free everything even if it isn't related to that condition!

KxMx

The medical exemption list is very antiquated and is long, long over due for through re-assessment IMO.

50Twuncle

Do DIABETICS get an exception ?

Kim_13

50Twuncle wrote: »

Do DIABETICS get an exception ?

Only if they take insulin or other medicine for the diabetes.