Over 60s prescriptions

I have several prescriptions which only give me a month at a time, my tramadol needs renewing every 28;days which is even worse, I seem to go to the chemist every week to collect something. At the moment I take 5 different tablets a day plus my pain relief, paracetamol and tramadol three or four times a day.

If I have to start paying again, I will definitely get a pre payment certificate again but I won’t be happy! I signed a petition about this when it was first mooted last year and wrote to my MP but as always, she did not bother to reply.

One of my medications the GP won't allow me to have more than one month's worth - two of them I can't have more than two months worth. These are for arthritis and blood pressure.

Another med I get free (and have since I was 50) is an injectable for arthritis which, I was told when I started, was a cheaper option than me not being able to work and claiming benefits. One injection per week, pack of four injections is £357.00. The USA list price is - gasp - $1,400 per injection. That is each injection. Shocking.

These costs need to be met of course. However - having seen £££,£££ spent on what turned out to be useless PPE at the start of Covid, I really wish I had confidence that the money went to the right places. I really do.

Pittcity

Bus passes are already linked to State Pension age here in Essex. I can see prescriptions, eye tests etc going the same way.

Bus passes have been linked to the state pension age for years in England, though some local authorities decided to pick up the tab for providing them earlier. My DH is 71 and has had his for 11 years, I'm 5 years younger and have just got mine. And I love it!

When I was on Jobseekers at the age of 60 I was not allowed free prescriptions. I gave up taking my bp tablets and Cholesterol because I couldn't afford them.

Prescriptions are free for everybody in Scotland too, same as Wales.

I have signed the petition.
If it goes ahead I will do what I did before reaching 60 which is pay a Direct debit of £10.81 per month for 10 months of the year, for an annual NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate. (Total cost £108.10 for unlimited prescription items).
I’m afraid it was bound to happen ☹️

chelseababy

Isn't it free for all ages in Scotland and Wales?

I'm not sure about Scotland though perscriptions are free for people of all ages in Wales.

Bus passes are already linked to State Pension age here in Essex. I can see prescriptions, eye tests etc going the same way.

I think it’s inevitable that free prescriptions will be linked to state pension age, at some set date in the future.

chelseababy

I think it's fair enough if you are still working.

What about those who are working but on minimum wages, lower than pensions?

User7777

Signed it. Wish I knew how to send to Mumsnet. It will affect them.

Why not join Mumsnet and start a thread. Or maybe there’s a thread already.

So would those who want people in work to pay exclude those of the same age who are not working?

chelseababy

I think it's fair enough if you are still working.

Ditto

Isn't it free for all ages in Scotland and Wales?

I very rarely have a prescription but my husband has a regular repeat one He used to pay one amount yearly to cover this. We were actually quite surprised when he no longer had to pay once he reached 60 we did think it a bit odd as he was no where near pension age

I think it's fair enough if you are still working.

Daily Express thinks it's going to happen
www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/1544343/Free-NHS-prescriptions-over-60s-9-35-fee-State-Pension-age-66-inflation-pensioners

Point of order - if your government decides not to fund over-sixties prescriptions and ours does, that's not discrimination. That's a political choice.

Signed it. Wish I knew how to send to Mumsnet. It will affect them.

User7777

We will be paying if government gets it's way to rise it up from 60 to 66.. Boris needs to be headed off at the pass. How will the poorly,not very well off, pay for the charges he wants to bring in. We are sleep walking towards discrimination of Englands 60 to 66 years old poorly people

I hope at least there's a cap on the total amount that anyone pays in a year otherwise it will really penalise those who are chronically sick and need a lot of medication regularly.

Of course, this will add another layer of admin which itself will cost money. I wonder how much will actually be saved with this move?

The government are also planning to hike the current charge, too.

What with energy price increases, increased food costs, this is not good for those on a low income - or even a moderate one come to that.

Just how much can the government continue to squeeze out of people?

It is absurd. Many traders and economists have said the Loan from the BoE to deal with the Pandemic will never have to be repaid - or will be extended indefinitely with ever decreasing interest rates (interest which is paid back to the government anyway). Not that you will read about this in the MSM.

I just signed and also sent an email to my local MP. He is a Conservative though and in a safe seat so l don't think he will care.
It's disgusting really, picking on poor people's yet again.

Just signed this now.

Just checked - there's one been started.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/594390

The government maybe be bringing back the fees for over 60's prescriptions as of April. Its not set in stone just on the Internet.
A friend told me yesterday but when l googled it and read through the article fully it seems more likely that that it will be for anyone that reaches the age 60 when the government decides to enforce it.
So for any of us that are already receiving free prescriptions and fall between 60 and pension age we just might be OK.

I think the change is happening Mar/Apr.

There is already one going, only 5,300 signatures, needs lots more, share it around.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/594390

Petition closes Feb 18th, so need it signed soon.