Change free prescriptions to state pension age?

I don't buy coffees in coffee shops, though.
It is not for some people (not necessarily me)

Prescriptions are free for all in Scotland too. Don’t know how long it can be sustained. I feel most people can afford a couple of pounds towards their medication. Less than a coffee in a coffee shop. Surely some form of contribution is better for the NHS than nothing.

AGAA4

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.

I should have asked if you were in the UK. I have included a screenshot from Cancer Research but it only applies here in England.

Perhaps a better way - all prescriptions free to all. Universal.

Currently so many exceptions - I'd think it was cost cutting to dole out what people were prescribed and not keep up with all the records.

No means testing.

AGAA4

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.

I’m surprised by this. My ex husband got free prescriptions while undergoing cancer treatment - and he recovered. Once he got the all clear he had to start paying for them again. He was working full time. Have you really looked into whether he’s be entitled?

NoI can't agree

I agree with you. So many people can not afford medication so already dont pick it up. Surgeries are business oriented now so give out tablets to patients which could be dealt with through diet change or over the counter options. But this would take up too much time discussing options and doctors don’t have time for us anymore.

Hellsbelles

I'm going to disagree with you all , in the nicest way , I'm guessing you all get state pension ( well most of you ) I'm 63 and was my husband's carer as even,though he is also 63 , he has not been able to work for around 5 years due to his health , in that time he has been on 5 different medications a day . When he was under 60 and paying yes he had a certificate which still cost him money.
We had worked full time up to his illness and rarely had
Holidays to pay off our mortgage asap.
Once he was ill we lived off savings and pip and my carers allowance.
This year I have become ill and need 4 different tablets a day , it is an life-long illness and I also get pip , we use our savings to top up . We survive . If we both had to buy the certificates it would be a struggle and more money off our savings .
We dont get state pension until we are 67 , so 4 more years .
We don't get any more help because we have some savings , we've never drank , never smoked , never really had holidays
because we wanted to pay off a mortgage , which we have but at the detriment to other things .
Maybe if we had drank , smoked holidayed , we'd have no savings so qualify for a lot more benefits , but we didn't , so almost have been penalised for being hard working when younger .
So don't deny me free prescriptions as well .

So sorry to hear this Hellsbelles, that’s really tough. I agree wholeheartedly with you. I think many of the mooted plans indicate a desire to extract everything they possibly can from those who have been sensible and or fortunate enough to prepare financially for retirement. There are many other avenues the government should be looking into. I know many people have not been in a position to do this, but those who have taken responsibility for their old age will be penalised for sure.

Babs03

I just do think is unfair, as has been said by those who are not yet retired but over 60, that we - who qualified for state pension at an earlier age and have had free meds for some years - should suggest this.
We are in effect saying that was was ok for us is not ok for others who should now face paying for meds for longer.

Yes, I agree. I often think that when someone who has been retired for 20 years and got a pension at 60 says that the retirement age needs to be higher, too. Age shouldn't bar us from having an opinion, but that does come across as rather tone deaf. I don't get a pension until next year, and am still paying tax and NI, which I have done since I was 16 with no free 'credits'. If I am told again that I have to wait to get something that others have had for many years I will be unimpressed.

As far as I can see, there is no age criteria for an NHS Prepayment certificate - www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc.

While all those living in Wales and Scotland get absolutely free prescriptions regardless of age, then no, I don't think the age limit should be raised from the current 60 in England.

I just do think is unfair, as has been said by those who are not yet retired but over 60, that we - who qualified for state pension at an earlier age and have had free meds for some years - should suggest this.
We are in effect saying that was was ok for us is not ok for others who should now face paying for meds for longer.

My gp won't prescribe anything that can be bought.

I do appreciate free prescriptions but I also know of some people who are given paracetamol and other over the counter medications on free prescription which I think is too much. Very difficult to make a judgement on this one.

Mrsthingy

It has already been changed to retirement age.
I know this because my husband was advised he was no longer eligible for an annual pre payment certificate when his ran out when he was 60 and a couple of months, but I wasn't advised this (I'll be 60 in January), so did a bit of Google digging and it now says it on government site, so that went through very quietly a few months back.

There was a consultation on this which reported in 2023, But the NHS sites still say clearly that anybody over 60 is exempt from prescription charges.

There is a difference between free prescriptions (ie free medication) and exemption from the prescription charge.
Lots of younger people, find it difficult to pay for their medication - this shouldn’t be age related.
I don’t see why DH and me have been exempt from prescription charges for over 10 years (for much of which we were both working and earning good money) while my chronically ill daughter has had to keep paying them. Of course we’re hugely grateful to be NHS for providing the free care that keeps her as well as possible (Crohns Disease + multiple autoimmune disease complications) and the annual prescription charge has always seemed a small price to pay.
Just for the record, cancer patients are considered medically exempt and don’t pay prescription charges. I do think the system of medical exemptions does need sorting out to better cover other chronic conditions.

they are taking enough off us oldies, there was no black hole IF they can give the train drivers and doctors huge pay rises,
Labour always bring us to our knees but who wpuld have thought it would be in weeks, dread to think what they can do in years!

The previous government raised this in 2021. It was dropped, for various reasons, depending on whose version you read.

Sasta, I agree,not fair.

M0nica

Pammiel £2.00 is not much, where there are problems of poverty that should be addressed through benefits, not the NHS

£2 a week keeps getting mentioned but there is not the option to pay £2 a week (or even the more accurate £2.20), you have to stump up the year's cost in one go (£114.50) . For someone balancing every penny that's too big an ask. The same as defenders of TV licences say it's only x amount a day/week when you don't have the option to pay these smaller amounts.

NHS prescriptions are free in Scotland and Wales. How would it work for them? It’s pretty unfair that one group within the UK pay whatever age is decided, given we all pay taxes. I know they have separate governing bodies etc, but it’s still not fair. Don’t get me started on Uni fees. And I’m not looking for handouts, I just think fairness should matter, however naive.

eazybee

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.

Exactly so it did not really matter if you had it free because the average person does not have many prescriptions until later in life. If they do, they would probably be exempt anyway due to a life long illness.
I do wonder how old OP is? Probably well over the age of qualifying anyway.

No. I've had to wait longer for my state pension, free prescriptions is the only benefit I get and one of my meds is a lifelong need.

Elegran

Alexander05

Maybe instead of looking at our prescriptions in England maybe Scotland ought to start paying for theirs along with University charges. It seems a little unfair

Alexander Did you read Granny23's post above, where she says that "When free prescriptions for all were introduced in Scotland, it was discovered that the change was cost neutral as there was no longer a need to fund a whole organisation to check eligibility, issue and monitor season tickets etc." ?

What is the use of a free state NHS, if the medication that is prescribed is then too expensive for a pensioner patient on the official state pension to afford it?

When free prescriptions for all were introduced in Scotland, it was discovered that the change was cost neutral as there was no longer a need to fund a whole organisation to check eligibility, issue and monitor season tickets etc." ?

It would be very interesting to know the actual cost of the administration of this monitoring.

And then compare it with the cost of the free prescriptions for all.

Layers of administration do cost money - especially when new departments - together with heads of departments - are set up, possibly even in different buildings which will of course have their own costs.

I don't drink, smoke, or have holidays, and I still have no savings.
My income is spent on essentials, only.