Exemption from prescription costs

Scotland will be getting free prescriptions soon, whereas England will be getting an increase in prices

GP's don't tell you about either the prepayment certificate (£104 a year and covers unlimited prescriptions and is available to everyone) or the exemption certificate.

I have hypothyroidism and should be entitled to free prescriptions for life but am still fighting to get my GP to fill out the form for me, even though I've been diagnosed with it by two consultants, as she still won't recognise it.

I'm very surprised that you've managed to get it on the grounds of the ongoing disability part as lots of people I know have tried but been told they have to have the specific conditions mentioned, so well done.

Scotland only pays £3 for a prescription now don't they?

Bunny, I have been treated for hypothyroidism with Thyroid medications for over 20 odd years. The old name for hypothyroidism was - Myxoedema.
Try having a look at Gordon's link again.

It was my pharmasist who pointed out to me that I did not have to pay for meds, I thought because I worked I had to pay and had done so for quite some time. You need to pick up a form from your doctor's receptionist and ask if one of the doctor's will sign it for you.
Good luck.

Bunny wrote:

GP's don't tell you about either the prepayment certificate (£104 a year and covers unlimited prescriptions and is available to everyone) or the exemption certificate.

I have hypothyroidism and should be entitled to free prescriptions for life but am still fighting to get my GP to fill out the form for me, even though I've been diagnosed with it by two consultants, as she still won't recognise it.

I'm very surprised that you've managed to get it on the grounds of the ongoing disability part as lots of people I know have tried but been told they have to have the specific conditions mentioned, so well done.

Scotland only pays £3 for a prescription now don't they?

If you are on medication for it then a Doctor at your practise should sign the form to enable you to get your medical prescriptions for free.

It is true though that they never tell you, that you are entitled to them for free you have to make enquires your self.

However if you can't get free prescriptions you can pay yearly on a monthly dd and it can work out a lot cheaper for many people.

I think there's a particular problem in relation to hypothyroidism.

The specific exemption is for myxoedema. This word is used in two senses (it may be used in more than two, but it is two that I know about). Its primary meaning is a condition associated with hypothyroidism, not hypothyroidism itself. By extension, it is used to mean hypothyroidism. If someone has hypothyroidism and their GP won't sign them off as having myxoedema, it may be that they are taking the word in its narrow sense.

Why not research the subject on the internet and put the case to your GP, Bunny?

This is fantastic news! I was always under the impression I wasn't entitled as I was not on income based benefits, and my GP also won't confirm my diagnosis of Hypothyroidism, despite two private GPs having diganosed my condition. It's the old story of the TSH blood test being used as the ONLY basis for an NHS diagnosis, even though I have a letter from one specialist stating that if I lived in Europe or the USA I would have been diagnosed years ago based on my TSH result alone! It's just the UK that has it's TSH reference ranges so out of wack (but that's another rant altogether!). Anyhow, my GP has recently written a letter in support of my ESA appeal in which he states that I am unable to leave the house unassisted due to my CFS/ME/FM so I know now I will qualify under that. At last! Hubby picking up form from GP now!!!!