Change free prescriptions to state pension age?

Absolutely yes!

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

In France whenever a prescription is delivered at the pharmacy details of the drugs and their prices are printed out on the document. My asthma meds cost over £1000 euros per month. It in a way ensures that they are taken.

One English acquaintance (former holiday home here) who had breast cancer said that some of the drugs were specially prepared for her. When she went into the hospital to take she was told by the nurse that sometimes people don't keep their appointments and that the drugs are therefore wasted since they cannot be used for someone else. Perhaps knowing the cost would make people more careful about taking the drugs.

Ilovecheese

I would rather this Government took something away from millionaires and billionaires, rather than people in need of medication.

... ah - but then they would all up-sticks and move to another low tax country - apparently!

Among these very very wealthy individuals are those benefactors that provide jobs - even those jobs which are so poorly paid that the State has to subsidise the employees.

So, no - that won't work I'm afraid!

The only solution is, as always, to take more from those with the least, and the 'just-about-managing' - and hit the pockets and bank accounts of people who were foolish enough to work hard and save for their retirement...

Agree in principle but it does depend on whether 66 or 67 is medically the new 60.
Exemption of course for those on income support.

I also and even more controversially think that general eligibility for free bus passes could be moved to age 70.

All I can say is thank heavens I don't have to pay for my prescriptions as I am on lots of meds, one of them costs the NHS over £5,000 a month.

When my DH had terminal cancer we had to pay £70 a month for his medication. I was working so we managed but how many others would have been unable to afford that.

annodomini

I was surprised when - still under 60 - I was able to have free prescriptions because I'd been prescribed Thyroxin. What is even more amazing is that one of my sons, still well under 60, who also has hypothyroidism, now has free prescriptions.

The whole system needs an overhaul. I was exempt for many years before I was 60 because I look thyroxine. I was told that my reduced immune system meant I'd need many medications. I didn't and was not eligible for things like free flu jabs.....quite bizarre.
The GP would give me a 6 month prescription which would've only incurred one fee if I had to pay.
To make money the pharmacy would only dispense one month at a time, so that they could claim 6 fees from the government. I was a pharmacy dispenser before computerisation and had to keep these records.
So we are still paying for "free" prescriptions through taxes etc.

It's so complicated like every other public department.

I would rather this Government took something away from millionaires and billionaires, rather than people in need of medication.

I would rather this government looked after the older people in this country but they have shown that they really don't care.

I was surprised when - still under 60 - I was able to have free prescriptions because I'd been prescribed Thyroxin. What is even more amazing is that one of my sons, still well under 60, who also has hypothyroidism, now has free prescriptions.

I would rather this government saved money by not giving in to the excessive demands of trade unions, but of course that’s not going to happen.

I am 81 and eligible for free prescriptions but am now finding that items that were prescribed by the hospital specialist for my chronic medical problem and was free on my prescription are now being classed as over the counter medication so I now have to pay for those.

I was surprised to receive free prescriptions at 60 while I was working full time, until 65. At that age I didn't need permanent prescriptions such as statins, just an occasional course of anti-biotics until I hit my seventies.

People with cancer or kidney disease, to name just two, would die.

If hospital meds were exempt, then people would be trundling off to A and E to get what they needed.

If they want to bring it home to people the actual cost of their medications, maybe the answer to that is to automatically print the up-to-date cost onto each prescription, clearly crossed out like this if the patient is over SP age and qualifies for free prescriptions. That would mean that everyone is aware of how much they their subsidised medication would have cost them, whether they are paying NHS rates or nothing. Anyone with a pet knows how much a vet's prescription costs!

The alternative for individuals is to move to Scotland (or Wales).

M0nica

GrannyGravy13

Monica £2 a week for some pensioners is a vast sum, particularly those who are above the pension credit threshold by a few pennies (and yes it is that fine )

But this idea doesn't affect pensioners! Only those between 60 and state pension age. See my post immediately above yours.

Sorry M0nica you are of course correct in regard to pensioners.

I am just rather concerned that we seem to be in a spiral of takeaways at the moment.

I would rather have a Government that was upfront with the electorate and didn’t hang on to the myth of household economics as its excuse for all and sundry.

GrannyGravy13

Monica £2 a week for some pensioners is a vast sum, particularly those who are above the pension credit threshold by a few pennies (and yes it is that fine )

But this idea doesn't affect pensioners! Only those between 60 and state pension age. See my post immediately above yours.

The pension thing... just forget I said that.

So would I.

I'm a bit slow on the uptake today; struggling manfully to contribute to threads when my brain is ten steps behind.

The pension thing... just forget I said that.

Monica £2 a week for some pensioners is a vast sum, particularly those who are above the pension credit threshold by a few pennies (and yes it is that fine )

MissAdventure

It will batter the poorest off, and those who could claim pension credits but choose not to.

This idea doesn't affect pensioners, only those between 60 and state pension age.

If people choose not to claim Pension Credit, then that is their choice. It is available to them. I would define doing that as cutting your nose off to spite your face.

MissAdventure

I think people would end up trying to cut down on meds to save costs, so no, I don't agree with it.

But they could get a season ticket that would cover all their meds and would only cost them just over £2 a week.

Would it include cancer patients, having to pay for their meds, or those with long term, chronic illness?

Once you hit 60 your GP wants to put you on Statins, BP tablets and all sorts of vaccinations. I think the exemption is an age thing rather than affordability.
GPs are businesses and I'm sure over 60s are a large percentage of their income.