Exemption from prescription charges/free prescriptions

isabelseymour
isabelseymour Member Posts: 7
edited 7. Feb 2009, 10:52 in Living with Arthritis archive
I know that many people with RA, like myself, have to pay prescription charges for their basic RA medication and feel that this is just another issue that we have to deal with. I have been doing a bit of googling and have found two ways in which we can try to influence those with the power or authority to be able to change the regulations on prescription charges.

The Department of Health is undertaking a review into the possibility of giving exemption from prescription charges to all those with "long term conditions". The definition of a "long term condition" has not yet been agreed but the DoH is carrying out a survey on its website seeking the views of the public. The link to this is below and I would urge as many people as possible to take 5 minutes to complete the questionnaire:

http://www.info.doh.gov.uk/questionnaire/prescriprew.nsf

As well as this, a petition has recently been started on the Number10 website asking for consideration to be given to offering people with RA free prescriptions. I know there has not been much success with these petitions in the past but the link is below if anyone wants to put their name to it:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Rheumatoid/

Comments

  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for that Isabel. Done and dusted. :D:D

    Look after yourself,

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I know that many people with RA, like myself, have to pay prescription charges for their basic RA medication and feel that this is just another issue that we have to deal with. I have been doing a bit of googling and have found two ways in which we can try to influence those with the power or authority to be able to change the regulations on prescription charges.

    The Department of Health is undertaking a review into the possibility of giving exemption from prescription charges to all those with "long term conditions". The definition of a "long term condition" has not yet been agreed but the DoH is carrying out a survey on its website seeking the views of the public. The link to this is below and I would urge as many people as possible to take 5 minutes to complete the questionnaire:

    http://www.info.doh.gov.uk/questionnaire/prescriprew.nsf

    As well as this, a petition has recently been started on the Number10 website asking for consideration to be given to offering people with RA free prescriptions. I know there has not been much success with these petitions in the past but the link is below if anyone wants to put their name to it:

    http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Rheumatoid/


    Well done for that
    Colin
  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have signed it, good luck x
  • debsmartin
    debsmartin Member Posts: 209
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the links, I've filled in both. Lets hope they listen

    debs
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ok all done and signed .
    NB
  • lindah
    lindah Member Posts: 445
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Both done.
    Some strange questions in there
    Thanks for the opportunity of giving something back on here,there have been a lot of answers for me in the few weeks I have been reading the posts.
  • brighteyes
    brighteyes Member Posts: 17
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Just completed the questionnaire and the petition. I have long held the view that it should be the drugs that are exempt and not the person.

    I have to take 10 different meds daily and have to pay for a prepayment certificate, even though I get incapacity benefit and our finances are dire due to my condition (although not so dire that we qualify for income-based benefits). My sister was diagnosed recently with an overactive thyroid and now is completely exempt whether she gets antibiotics for a sore throat, cream for her skin or thyroxin.

    Surely if they changed the system so that even those with an exempt condition had to pay for routine prescriptions, it would free up resources for the rest of us.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,792
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Did you put that in your survey questionaire thingy brighteyes?
    It's true I have a friend with thyroid probs and she thinks it's wrong too!
    All signed
    Toni x
  • brighteyes
    brighteyes Member Posts: 17
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes I most certainly did!!! :wink:
  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    What they pay to the jobsworths and hangers-on on the committees who make these decisions would pay for free prescriptions for all for many, many years.

    At least thats what I said to them. c025.gif

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
  • ichabod6
    ichabod6 Member Posts: 843
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Your view is the right one brighteyes,
  • claregood1
    claregood1 Member Posts: 15
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Signed up and comments noted.
    Thanks for the link
    Clare