Prescription charges

[moomington]

Hi there. I am a new member and mum a lovely daughter recently diagnosed with Cvid, ( diagnosed with iga deficiency 2 yrs ago). As my daughter is about to graduate, she will soon have to pay prescription charges. I assumed that something like cvid would entitle her to exemption from charges as is the case with diabetes, but I cannot find any info on this. Any advice please?

[john]

hiya,
i'm afraid pids such as cvid do NOT entitle us to free prescriptions.
it's an ongoing source of disappointment, because as you say, people with diabetes DO get theirs free, and we are a far rarer group of patients then them.
the only thing i can suggest to offset the cost is to buy an annual "season ticket", which fixes the total cost and doesn't depend on the number of items prescribed.
hope this helps
take care - john

[moomington]

Hi there, and thank you! I feel a challenge coming on!

[mali42]

Hi Moomington

The only way we can get free or reduced prescriptions, if you are on a low income or get income
support or receive job seekers allowance or some sort of support and you don't have savings over £16,000.

I do get all the equipment needed for home infusion free on prescription but not normal medicine prescribed by my GP.

Malcolm

[moomington]

Thank you for that. It is very disappointing to hear. I think that this is a class of illness that should warrant exemption from charges. I would be interested to know if any of you have any strong thoughts on this?

[mims]

hi Moomington, I also feel we should receive our prescriptions for free. I am actually longing to reach 60 in November and know that they will be free from then on!!!
good luck
Maria

[glowing]

Should be like in Wales where everybody's prescriptions are free. People who work are more likely to get well sooner if they don't have to worry about affording necessary treatment.
Glowing

[liz2mac]

Hi all,
when we first set up the HGG Society (the society that the PiA took over)I went to the dept of health to talk about this. At the time they told me that it was an absolute no no and that if we pushed it they would probably withdraw all free prescriptions for disease groups. Since that time however, cancer patients have been granted free prescriptions. I will bring this up with the DOH again, but I'm not holding my breath!
Not fair I know, but its an historical anominally
Liz