[Fairy]

Apparently Gordon Brown has said people will any long-term illnesses in England won't have to pay anymore. Cancer patients get it next year, with other illnesses to follow after that (if Labour are still in charge anyway :hehe.

Think I'll believe it when I see it, but I thought you'd like to know (and I'm bored at work).

 

[Clare.T]

I'll believe it when I see it too and when lupus is included. The mind boggles. So much more to say about all this but would be political.

This is the current situation, from PatientUK site

People who have certain medical conditions

Although there are many conditions requiring regular medication, only the following qualify for an exemption certificate:

• A permanent fistula requiring dressing.
• Forms of hypoadrenalism such as Addison's Disease.
• Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism.
• Diabetes mellitus except where treatment is by diet alone.
• Hypoparathyroidism.
• Myasthenia gravis.
• Myxoedema (underactive thyroid) or other conditions where supplemental thyroid hormone is necessary.
• Epilepsy requiring regular anti-epilepsy medication.
• If, because of a permanent disability, you cannot leave your home without help.

If you have one of these conditions, get form FP92A from your doctor's surgery and fill it in. This is sent to the Prescription Pricing Authority who will issue a Medical Exemption Certificate.

If you have a Medical Exemption Certificate or Maternity Exemption Certificate, all your prescriptions are free, whatever the medication is for.

Cheers
Clare

 

[doreen]

Free Prescriptions in England

If you also have an under or over active thyroid, which many Lupies have, you are entitled to a medical exemption card. You just ask your chemist for a form, fill it in, ask your doctor to sign it, and you are entitled to all medication free.