prescribtions

Finance and benefits
1

Hello

I was diagnosed a few years ago with MS and take medication prescribed by the MS team at the hospital which gets delivered to me so all good there

unfortunately though, I seem to be getting loads of ‘mirror’ illnesses - ear infections, tonsilicis, etc… so back and worth to the GP. I was wondering if prescriptions are free for MS patients (could not find it online) and/or if there was a plan to lobby to get free prescriptions for MS patients if not.

2

I don’t believe there free until you hit 60, unless you’re on a low income and you can apply for a HC2 certificate which entitles you to free prescriptions, eye test and help with glasses, dental work and help with trips to hospital. You can apply online , it’s quite easy to fill in and attach documentation they require.

3

If you are on multiple prescriptions you can purchase a season ticket which works out cheaper. Not sure where the breakeven point is now. Used to be 2 to 3 regular prescriptions. Lifelong blood pressure meds made the decision easy but irregular or short term meds make it more complex.

4

There is a medical exemption certificate which means you get prescriptions free. The following it taken from the NHS website:

You’re entitled to a medical exemption certificate if you have either:

  • a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) which needs continuous surgical dressing or an appliance

  • a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential

  • diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism

  • diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone

  • hypoparathyroidism

  • myasthenia gravis

  • myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement)

  • epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy

  • a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person

  • cancer and are undergoing treatment for either:

    • cancer

    • the effects of cancer

    • the effects of cancer treatment

These are the only conditions that entitle you to a medical exemption certificate. If you’re not sure about the name of your condition, speak to your doctor.

5

Details of prepayment certificate. These are designed to help anyone with regular problems.