Change free prescriptions to state pension age?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NoI can't agree

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?

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

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.

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

Nelli123

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.

Exactly! and in Scotland they get free university tuition too. England is always the poor relation

MissAdventure

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

Liz Lettuce Truss contemplated making people pay for cancer treatments!!

When people want to work at home they are reminded of how detrimental that would be to the owners of coffee shops.

When people want life-enhancing drugs they are told that the cost of a cup of coffee would pay for them.

Meanwhile, Starbucks paid £7.2m in UK corporation tax last year despite making a gross profit of £149m on sales of £548m in Britain.

Its UK division, which has faced years of criticism for paying very little to the Treasury, paid £40.4m in royalty and licensing payments to a parent company, more than five times the amount it paid in tax to HM Revenue and Customs.
🤔

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 )

Certainly is, my mum at 88 is just above the eligibility threshold and hasn't yet paid off last winter's fuel bill! Costs about £500 a month for her to be truly warm, more now!

No I don’t agree. We have already been robbed of our pension which we should have had at 60, but have to wait till 66 what a diabolical idea

It's the idea of the OP though - not a suggestion from the government.

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.

It is an exempt disease, along with Diabetes, and having a Colostomy or Ileostomy, thank God!

I'm exempt on 2 counts. My medications would cost over £500 a month if I were to pay for them, I once added it up, & I'm on far more now. Would have helped me more if someone had looked at me holistically and offer something else rather than new symptom = new medication. I now take 29 at night + a strong analgesic patch. Big Pharma are making a mint from me sadly.

Sasta

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.

I think you too should 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."

The unfairness you speak of could be made fair to you too, if politicians in Westminster did the same sums as those in Scotland and came to the same conclusion - that prescriptions are a part of the health care that is supposedly free under the NHS, and that it costs as much to administer who does and who doesn't pay as to prescribe free for everyone. After all, the bulk of the cost is for the medications themselves.

David49

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.

NO!

It ought to have been done by income, not Pension Credit. My mum is a few quid over the threshold and she is going to suffer. She's on around £22k, energy will be around £550 this winter for her to be consistently warm, and she has a Service Charge of over £5k per year which will be going up!

I don't agree that those on a State Pension should pay for prescriptions. I haven't read all the posts on this thread so I don't know what percentage are of this opinion. However, it has been suggested that medication should be less easily prescribed. I agree with that. When I saw a GP with back pain I was prescribed loads of really strong pain-killers which I did not need because he didn't have time to ask me more about what might be causing the pain. That's just one instance of course, but it must be repeated millions of times every year.

Elegran

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/

Umm there used to be as my daughter paid it monthly, shame if they've stopped it ...

MissAdventure

Perhaps people on disability benefits should get free prescriptions, but of course, one person could be on two meds, and another on twenty two.
So, a means test to check how many meds someone has?

It's unworkable.

If you are on disability benefit and claiming ESA or Income Support then they are free. Tick box H!

Also some on UC & Tax Credits seem to be free if income based. Have just looked at the back of one of my 6 pages of prescription sheets!