Several groups can get their NHS prescriptions for free (Image: Getty)
Key changes are needed to the free NHS prescriptions system in England as many people needlessly pay for their medication, an expert has warned. The advocate says there should be a more proactive approach for letting people know they are eligible, as well as more targeted support.
Helen Lord is CEO of the Vulnerability Registration Service, which shares a person’s information about their challenges and support needs with trusted partners, so they only have to provide these details once and to ensure they get the help they need.
She warns that vulnerable people who may be eligible to get their prescriptions for free, avoiding the £9.90 per item charge, may simply not know. Ms Lord said: “We cannot expect overwhelmed and vulnerable people to navigate a complicated system of prescription exemptions and prepayment certificates, particularly when they may not even know that help exists.
‘Nobody is going to tell them’
“Nobody is necessarily going to tell them. When someone experiences domestic abuse, bereavement, a sudden loss of income or an unexpected caring responsibility, their ability to manage financially can change dramatically.
“These are precisely the moments when people may need support most, yet have the least capacity to seek it out.”
She said we need to change the system so rather than the onus being on people to reach out for help, people who have vulnerabilities are proactively identified to ensure they get “timely, targeted information and support”.
Which vulnerable people could miss out on free prescriptions?
Two groups who can potentially get their prescriptions for free are those on Universal Credit and Pension Credit, which supports people on low incomes. If your income suddenly drops and you become eligible for these benefits, you may not realise you also qualify to get your prescriptions free of charge.
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Another potentially vulnerable group who can get their prescriptions for free are those aged 60 and over. Older people may have limited access to information to encourage them to apply for free prescriptions.
People with certain medical conditions can also get free prescriptions – you may need to get a medical exemption certificate to prove this. This includes for people who have cancer or who are affected by cancer treatment, or if you have a physical disability meaning you need another person’s help to go out.
NHS prescriptions are completely free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
NHS response
Asked for a response, the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) says that help is available to proactively inform people that they may be able to get their medication for free. This includes a Real Time Exemption Checking system used by pharmacies at the point a patient collects their medication, telling them instantly if they’re exempt from paying for NHS prescriptions.
This system also checks against DWP databases, to instantly confirm if someone is entitled due to receiving a qualifying benefit. You can also use the online checker tool on the group’s website to find out if you are eligible.
The NHS BSA also delivers promotional communications campaigns, including materials for use by charities, GPs, midwives and others. These are produced in a range of languages.
