Infosheet
Prescription Charges The cost of prescriptions and the situations under which prescriptions are free differ across the UK. This Infosheet gives a country-by-country guide to what the situation is surrounding prescriptions across the UK.
Wales Are myeloma patients exempt from paying prescription charges? Yes. In Wales all prescriptions are free. Since 2007, all people who are resident in Wales or registered with a GP in Wales receive prescriptions free of charge.
England Are myeloma patients exempt from paying prescription charges? Yes. In England cancer was recently added to the list of exemptions from prescription charges. This means that as of 1 April 2009 cancer patients, on production of an exemption certificate, do not have to pay for their prescriptions. How do I apply for an exemption certificate? The application form for the exemption certificate is referred to as form FP92A and can be obtained from your GP surgery or hospital clinic. The certificate must be signed by your GP or hospital doctor and can be renewed every 5 years. What prescriptions does an exemption certificate cover? Myeloma UK Broughton House 31 Dunedin Street Edinburgh EH7 4JG Tel: 0131 557 3332 Fax: 0131 557 9785 Myeloma Infoline: 0800 980 3332 www.myeloma.org.uk Charity no. SC 026116 National Myeloma Week 21 - 28 June
An exemption certificate covers all prescription requirements, not just those relating to cancer. Am I entitled to a refund for prescriptions I have already paid? If you are still waiting for your exemption certificate, you should ask your pharmacist for an NHS receipt (FP57) - which is also a refund claim form when you pay a prescription charge. As long as you apply within three months of paying the prescription charge, refunds will then be backdated to 1 April 2009 when cancer was added to the list of medical exemptions.
Scotland Are myeloma patients exempt from paying prescription charges? Scotland is in the process of phasing out all prescription charges which means that prescriptions will be free for everyone in Scotland by 2011. Currently, there is no specific exemption for cancer patients in Scotland but individuals are entitled to free prescriptions if they meet one or more other exemption criteria. Some examples are:
you are aged 60 or over you, or a member of your family, receive Income Support, the Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or, in certain cases, Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit
A full list of exemptions that apply in Scotland can be found on www.psd.scot.nhs.uk/doctors/exemptions.html. If you are unsure whether you are entitled to free prescriptions you should discuss this with your GP or with a Benefits Advisor at Macmillan Cancer Support on 0800 500 800. If you meet one or more of the exemption criteria it means you are entitled to free prescriptions and may apply for an exemption certificate. If you are aged 60 or over you do not need to apply for an exemption certificate but may be asked for proof of age at the pharmacy. How do I apply for an exemption certificate? If you meet one of the exemption criteria you can ask your GP or hospital doctor to fill in form EC29A. Once you receive the exemption certificate, it is normally valid for 5 years. What prescriptions does an exemption certificate cover? An exemption certificate covers all your prescription requirements, not just those relating to cancer. I am not exempt from prescription charges. How much are prescriptions? If you live in Scotland and are not entitled to free prescriptions, there are two options for paying for prescriptions. You can either pay a standard charge for each single item on prescription or you can purchase a prescription payment certificate (PPC). A one-off advance payment for either 4 or 12 months, a PPC covers all the prescriptions you require during this time. From April 2010 the cost of prescriptions in Scotland has been reduced to £3 for a single item. A PPC costs £10 for 4 months or £28 for 12 months. You can purchase a PPC directly from most pharmacies or you can apply by post using form EC95. The postal application form is available from pharmacies and your local GP Practice. All prescription charges in Scotland will be abolished in 2011.
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Northern Ireland Are myeloma patients exempt from paying prescription charges? Yes. In Northern Ireland all prescription charges are free. From 1 April 2010 onwards, all people who are resident in Northern Ireland or are registered with a GP in Northern Ireland are automatically entitled to free prescriptions. A list of frequently asked questions about the changes can be found on www.nidirect.gov.uk
Other information available from Myeloma UK Myeloma UK has a range of Essential Guides, Infoguides and Infosheets available, covering many areas of myeloma, its treatment and management. To order your free copies, contact the Myeloma Infoline on 0800 980 3332. This information is also available to download at www.myeloma.org.uk To talk to someone about any aspect of myeloma, call the Myeloma Infoline on 0800 980 3332. The Myeloma Infoline is open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and is free to phone from anywhere in the UK. From outside the UK, call +44 131 557 3332 (charged at normal rate). Author: Issue date:
Kate Morgan, Myeloma UK April 2010
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