Change free prescriptions to state pension age?

MissAdventure

Working doesn't necessarily equate to being able to afford things these days.

No, and those sorts of assumptions are another reason why means-testing is iniquitous. Tax depending on means, with benefits universal. Who gets to decide at what stage someone needs free drugs and who should pay?

Working doesn't necessarily equate to being able to afford things these days.

I have often wondered why prescriptions are free as soon as a person turns 60. A lot of people are still working at 60 so could afford to pay. I couldn’t get a bus pass until I reached state pension age. The same should have applied with prescriptions.

Georgesgran

AGA was your DH not eligible for AA? We didn’t claim it when DH was terminally ill, nor did I claim Carer’s Allowance as I’d been refused that when caring for DD2 after a stroke! I vowed never to try to claim anything again - it was a nightmare.

We didn't know about AA and nobody mentioned it until a week before he died. He was in the hospice by then. He was diagnosed as terminal 18 months before so we didn't get that benefit for all that time.

Doodledog

I could get behind paying for them until retirement age, but never means-testing health.

How would that work? Someone who's worked all their life being unable to afford medicine that is free to someone who hasn't? A bullying husband (or wife, parent, child) refusing to pay for another member of the household who can't get them free as the household income exceeds the cut-off? Someone on more than one prescription having to decide which one to cash in based on cost? People putting off going to the doctor because they know they can't afford whatever they'll be prescribed?

Put more on tax by all means, so that everyone gets free (or cheap) prescriptions. Cut the number of things that can be prescribed, so people pay for OTC medicines. Consider a set fee regardless of number of items. There are various ways to cut costs, but never means-test life-saving drugs.

Well said Doodledog.

I'd also add that there should be a 'ceiling' to the payments, otherwise very sick people with chronic conditions will be penalised.

... or maybe a set fee, as you suggest.

In Norway, everyone pays both to see a doctor, and for some prescriptions - but, there is a limit to the amount they pay. After that limit is reached, they are re-ibursed.

However, it should be noted that most Norwegians are on good wages - unlike here.

Calendargirl

Yes, I think prescriptions should be paid for if under state pension age.

I heard a woman asking in the pharmacy this morning if paracetamol had been included in her big bag of medications. Apparently not, she tutted and was going to go back to the surgery to see why not.

Pensioner or not, paracetamol should not be provided on prescription surely. It costs pence at the supermarket.

The problem with that is this.

Some patients are prescribed paracetamol for regular and long-term use, usually for chronic, painful conditions.

There is a limit to the number of paracetamol tablets you can actually buy in one purchase. I think it might be 32 tablets.

If someone is taking them 3 or 4 times per day, that would mean that the patient has to shop for them every 5/6 days - or they have to traverse from one chemist to another to buy sufficient tablets, and not let-on to each pharmacy that they already have the legal limit of paracetamol.

Not something people in chronic pain probably want to do.

So doctors will prescribe this medication for that reason.

And I don't think those in constant pain with chronic conditions should be penalised financially - especially if, like me, paracetamol is an alternative to the far more expensive opiate drugs which I'd managed to wean myself from.

Doodledog

I could get behind paying for them until retirement age, but never means-testing health.

How would that work? Someone who's worked all their life being unable to afford medicine that is free to someone who hasn't? A bullying husband (or wife, parent, child) refusing to pay for another member of the household who can't get them free as the household income exceeds the cut-off? Someone on more than one prescription having to decide which one to cash in based on cost? People putting off going to the doctor because they know they can't afford whatever they'll be prescribed?

Put more on tax by all means, so that everyone gets free (or cheap) prescriptions. Cut the number of things that can be prescribed, so people pay for OTC medicines. Consider a set fee regardless of number of items. There are various ways to cut costs, but never means-test life-saving drugs.

Exactly correct.

--- I must admit "this" seems more concise.

I could get behind paying for them until retirement age, but never means-testing health.

How would that work? Someone who's worked all their life being unable to afford medicine that is free to someone who hasn't? A bullying husband (or wife, parent, child) refusing to pay for another member of the household who can't get them free as the household income exceeds the cut-off? Someone on more than one prescription having to decide which one to cash in based on cost? People putting off going to the doctor because they know they can't afford whatever they'll be prescribed?

Put more on tax by all means, so that everyone gets free (or cheap) prescriptions. Cut the number of things that can be prescribed, so people pay for OTC medicines. Consider a set fee regardless of number of items. There are various ways to cut costs, but never means-test life-saving drugs.

AGA was your DH not eligible for AA? We didn’t claim it when DH was terminally ill, nor did I claim Carer’s Allowance as I’d been refused that when caring for DD2 after a stroke! I vowed never to try to claim anything again - it was a nightmare.

Visgir1

Agree.. If you are under pension age you need to pay for prescriptions. If you clinically fall into the category of free ones, they will be provided free.
A yearly prescription season ticket is worth buying, more should used this service.

I am still surprised it's free for anyone over 60's.
Means testings? How many Civil servants will that take? Can't see that working.

It’s already done, everything is computerized, they already know, just like WFA no extra work needs to be done.

Yes, I think prescriptions should be paid for if under state pension age.

I heard a woman asking in the pharmacy this morning if paracetamol had been included in her big bag of medications. Apparently not, she tutted and was going to go back to the surgery to see why not.

Pensioner or not, paracetamol should not be provided on prescription surely. It costs pence at the supermarket.

You have to laugh at the mentality of some on here ,its fine to take away medication from older folk who may not be able to afford to pay for it but no one complains about the King getting £45 MILLION a year RISE plus all his profits from the sale of licenses for the seabed.couldn't make it up!! Honestly I sometimes think people are their own worst enemy...happy to pay hundreds of millions for the upkeep of ONE family who wouldn't know a hard days work if they tripped over it but grudging folk on low incomes drugs that might JUST make life more manageable ...are they supposed to now add ,can we afford medication to the can we choose to heat or eat problem they already have? Call this a CIVILISED country? Not in my book its not.

At present people with a chronic condition are in receipt of free prescriptions, whatever their age.
My thirty five year old daughter has insulin, needles etc all on the NHS ( thank you Nye Bevan), at considerable cost I'm sure.
As was pointed out earlier in the thread, this keeps her well, so she works and pays tax.
I would have been happy to pay for medication before my State Pension age.

If people were getting a reasonable amount of pension there would be no need for pension credit. Those who feel uncomfortable claiming a benefit would not have to live hand to mouth.
Basic pension is not enough and as Elegran says EU pensions are better than ours.

AGAA4

So pensioners who aren't eligible for pension credit are 'well off'?

Two things need to change - the level at which people are eligible for Pension Credit (or the level of the basic OA Pension) and the reluctance of those who are not applying for it.
If our State Pension were at the same level as most EU ones, we would not be having this conversation. This is not a new party policy - it has been the case in the UK for many years. .

The "season ticket" for prescriptions is certainly worth having, at £114.50 for a year if you needor £32.05 for three months.

" There are 3 PPC options:

a 3-month PPC costs £32.05 and will save you money if you need more than 3 prescribed items in 3 months
a 12-month PPC costs £114.50 and will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year
a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC costs £19.80 and will save you money if you need more than 2 prescribed qualifying HRT items in a year

A PPC for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) covers an unlimited number of some HRT medicines for 12 months, including if they’re prescribed for something other than menopause symptoms."

- but it does mean paying out £114.50 or £32.05 in one go. If you are on a tight budget that feels like a lot all at once! There doesn't seem to be a rate for a monthly payment.

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/save-money-with-a-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc/

So pensioners who aren't eligible for pension credit are 'well off'?

And...
Would people be as they are doing now with pension credits? Refusing to see if they qualify, then complaining that other people get free prescriptions, but they don't.

Agree.. If you are under pension age you need to pay for prescriptions. If you clinically fall into the category of free ones, they will be provided free.
A yearly prescription season ticket is worth buying, more should used this service.

I am still surprised it's free for anyone over 60's.
Means testings? How many Civil servants will that take? Can't see that working.

Would well off be based on income, or property and such-like?

Dickens

David49

I would make them means tested just like WFA. I can’t support well off pensioners getting free medicine. Maybe an annual exemption but a lot higher than currently

What constitutes a "well-off" pensioner?

... and who decides that yardstick?

Compared to someone living on a low income - virtually living hand-to-mouth - I am well-off.

My pensioner neighbour living across the road in the 5-bedroom "The Old Vicarage" thinks I am almost impoverished.

Same level as WFA, Pension Credit will be reviewed from year to year according to living costs.

All these cuts should be brought in gradually and not suddenly withdrawn from those who have grown used to receiving them or expect to receive them soon.

Sorry, Dickens, I’ve said just about the same as you - your post wasn’t there when I was typing 😁.

Out of interest, when is a pensioner considered “well off”? How much income per month would you consider a pensioner should have to be considered “well off”? Where would the line be drawn?

David49

I would make them means tested just like WFA. I can’t support well off pensioners getting free medicine. Maybe an annual exemption but a lot higher than currently

What constitutes a "well-off" pensioner?

... and who decides that yardstick?

Compared to someone living on a low income - virtually living hand-to-mouth - I am well-off.

My pensioner neighbour living across the road in the 5-bedroom "The Old Vicarage" thinks I am almost impoverished.