NHS Prescription

Pingu1 · 3 December at 3:23PM

I suffered a severe stroke 3 years ago and have been prescribed 7 tablets for blood pressure, heart and anxiety. I paid for a 12 month prescription pass for 2 years. I went to order my meds yesterday and the site was trying to charge me. I now realise my payment certificate ran out in August 2024. I must have forgot to renew it, and the site I use (Pharmacy2u) didn't prompt me, so I thought nothing more of it. I hurriedly bought a new certificate but am now worried I will be hit with a massive fine. I order my meds every 3 months, so it could add up to £5000. Not sure what to do? I don't fall into any of the exemption categories.

Bue21 · 4 December at 1:20PM

I find it quite surprising that reminders aren’t sent automatically for prepayment certificates. My son also takes several medications and had a similar issue after the first year (previously had been free as he was in education). He didn’t realise his certificate had run out until he was ordering another prescription. Quickly went on line and bought a new certificate hoping all would be ok but a fine arrived shortly after (we were far too late to get a receipt and back date).
I suspect if yours expired that long ago you may be lucky (his was literally one prescription).

Now he sets himself a reminder so it won’t happen again. We have also changed pharmacy and the new pharmacist reminds him too!

unforeseen · 4 December at 2:09PM

ISTR if paid by DD it automatically renews apart from the year that you become exempt due to age.

itsthelittlethings · 4 December at 3:02PM

If you pay by direct debit it renews automatically but there is a bit less than a month of the year, before the new one is issued, that you have to pay for prescriptions and then reclaim it once the new one is issued, which I've never understood.