It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

euronorris

We don't have salad much in the winter here either, however there are several recipes that we love which require peppers and a few that require a few fresh cherry toms. Plus daughter absolutely loves eating both as snacks (especially toms).

Shortages seem to vary a bit depending on location. Have seen lots of reports of egg shortages, but not actually noticed it here in our corner of the world.

Bluegreen143

Every Monday when I order my Tesco delivery there are no peppers, cucumbers or cherry tomatoes - but I do a top up shop on a Friday first thing, also at Tesco (not the same one which does our deliveries though) and seem to be able to get them fine at that time. I did see the signs about being limited to three per item but was able to get a pack of peppers, a pack of cherry toms and a pack of lettuce fine. 

My kids also snack on raw peppers and tomatoes, and it’s not something I want to discourage 😆

YoungBlueEyes

Auntycaz said:

Just seen on the tv this morning that they are bringing out a new prepayment certificate on the 1st of April for HRT which costs £18.70 for the year. This will save people on HRT a considerate amount as some people are paying 2/3 prescription charges per month for it. Hope this helps someone.

Thanks for this 😊  It’ll save me a bunch of money 🤞🏻

My hrt has 2 drugs in it so I pay double whack every month, one charge for each drug. 

Feels to me - rightly or wrongly - like they’re squeezing as much out of the very few people who do pay prescription charges to try and claw something back for all those that don’t. (I can’t quite a source but I’m sure I read somewhere that the vast majority of scripts are free, only a small percentage of people actually pay.) 

Brambling

I don't pay for my prescriptions as I have one of the conditions were I get a exemption card which luckily also covers my inhalers.  It is worth getting a prepaid annual prescription if you have more than 1 prescription a month

The prepaid prescription cost for first application, and any subsequent National Health Service prescription prepayment renewal, is currently: £30.25 for three (3) months (single payment by credit card) £108.10 for twelve (12) months (single payment by credit card or 10 instalments of £10.81 by Direct Debit)

euronorris

I have the standard pre-payment certificate. Rarely use it in autumn/winter, but I see the saving in Spring and Summer with all the hayfever meds, so worth it for me. Again, it was one charge per item and with tablets, nasal spray and eye drops it gets very expensive!

There are many exemptions for paying. Children, pregnancy, if you're on certain benefits, contraceptive pills are free and I think medication for certain conditions.

pumpkin89

YoungBlueEyes said:

Feels to me - rightly or wrongly - like they’re squeezing as much out of the very few people who do pay prescription charges to try and claw something back for all those that don’t. (I can’t quite a source but I’m sure I read somewhere that the vast majority of scripts are free, only a small percentage of people actually pay.) 

I'm pretty sure the majority of people have to pay but the majority of scripts aren't paid for (as those who suffer from poor health are much more likely to be eligible for free prescriptions).

YoungBlueEyes

The last time I was in the chemist (a big busy Boots) and I got my purse out to pay, the woman said “oh, cash”.  I laughed and said “yeah I’m about the last person paying for my prescription”, she said I was the first one for 3 days that had. 

Not conclusive proof, not representative of the whole country etc etc. 

I take your point tho @pumpkin89

Floss

YoungBlueEyes said:

The last time I was in the chemist (a big busy Boots) and I got my purse out to pay, the woman said “oh, cash”.  I laughed and said “yeah I’m about the last person paying for my prescription”, she said I was the first one for 3 days that had. 

Not conclusive proof, not representative of the whole country etc etc. 

I take your point tho @pumpkin89

That maybe because others have prepaid certs, which are still paid for.

YoungBlueEyes

A quick duckduck has given me this - it’s not the one I was thinking of but anyway. First paragraph under the photo. 

https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/nhs-prescription-charges/

40% of the population are not liable to pay…. ……over 90% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge. 

Floss

YoungBlueEyes said:

A quick duckduck has given me this - it’s not the one I was thinking of but anyway. First paragraph under the photo. 

https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/nhs-prescription-charges/

40% of the population are not liable to pay…. ……over 90% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge. 

As at November 2021.