Free NHS prescriptions

... for some.

Patients with long-term conditions will get free prescriptions in England under plans announced by the prime minister.

Charges for cancer patients will be scrapped from next year with other conditions to follow afterwards, Gordon Brown told the Labour Party conference.

Now - what will they say a "long-term condition" is?

I have sinus problems and take a spray everyday - been on it for about 19 years - is that long term enough to qualify?

Would save me ~£75 a year.


Link

[Kymmy]

My mother has a thyroid problem and has had free prescriptions because of this for years

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

My mother has a thyroid problem and has had free prescriptions because of this for years

Bet her condition is included in the list for this "new" scheme

NuLabour: Where cynicism and realism collide.

Yeah, The thing here is not that NHS prescription are free as a lot are already free for people with long-term conditions. It's about the more expensive drugs for cancer and for other drugs like those that can save people's eyesight and so forth, I would imagine this is gonna be expensive so I doubt they going to extend it to other conditions which are not already covered.

[Xaccers]

Quick question for anyone who's suffered or knows someone who's suffered from cancer.
What charges are there?
I can't imagine chemotherapy has prescription charges.
Is it pain killing medication?

From that article it will be all the cancer drugs first, then others to follow. I really hope they will include the ones for degenerative conditions, and eyesight saving drugs, because those conditions have always struck me as especially awful.

[Xaccers]

Thing is Damien, he didn't say all cancer treatment drugs will be available.
All he said was that charges would be scrapped for cancer patients.
Would mean if you had cancer and caught tonsilitus, you'd get free antibiotics.
Wouldn't mean you'd get that really expensive and slightly better performing drug that just might save your life though.

And I've answered my previous question.

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Thing is Damien, he didn't say all cancer treatment drugs will be available.
All he said was that charges would be scrapped for cancer patients.
Would mean if you had cancer and caught tonsilitus, you'd get free antibiotics.
Wouldn't mean you'd get that really expensive and slightly better performing drug that just might save your life though.

And I've answered my previous question.

Oh, I not sure what it means then...The cancer charity quoted were pleased so I guess there are some things cancer patients have to pay for..

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Damien

Those new, but expensive, drugs that sometimes get denied by local health authorities because of the high price. At least that is what I imagine they mean, since it’s been a hot button issue for the some of the tabloids.

You've been tripped up by the spin.

Originally Posted by Brown

And so I can announce today for those in our nation battling cancer from next year they will not pay prescription charges at all.

It's only prescription charges affected, not cancer drugs that aren't currently provided.

What on earth do cancer patients pay for then...Must be pain killing drugs..

Shame it's not the better drugs but I guess it makes sense, I wasn't sure how they would suddenly be able to afford them..

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Damien

What on earth do cancer patients pay for then...Must be pain killing drugs..

Shame it's not the better drugs but I guess it makes sense, I wasn't sure how they would suddenly be able to afford them..

I'd imagine, it's any other medication that you'd normally pay for, like antibiotics for an infection.
Of course it's great that they won't have to pay, but I can imagine most doctors giving free antibiotics (either GP or hospital) anyway as someone on chemo is going to have a weakened immune system anyway (my understanding of it).
So while making it official is good, the actual impact/difference is probably going to be negligable.
Now something like allowing patients to recieve NHS treatment while also taking medication sourced privately would be more effective. The current system is illogical.

Originally Posted by Xaccers

I'd imagine, it's any other medication that you'd normally pay for, like antibiotics for an infection.
Of course it's great that they won't have to pay, but I can imagine most doctors giving free antibiotics (either GP or hospital) anyway as someone on chemo is going to have a weakened immune system anyway (my understanding of it).
So while making it official is good, the actual impact/difference is probably going to be negligable.
Now something like allowing patients to recieve NHS treatment while also taking medication sourced privately would be more effective. The current system is illogical.

That would be logical; I thought that they could do both. Ideally, it would be good to at least try and make those expensive drugs cheaper for those who desire them. Maybe they could do deals with the pharmaceuticals companies to provide them at a bulk rate to the NHS, maybe make them knock a bit off additionally so it doesn’t look like they are unfairly profiting from cancer suffers (while acknowledging that monetary incentive is the only way innovation can continue, these companies need a reason, and money, to do their research)

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Damien

That would be logical; I thought that they could do both. Ideally, it would be good to at least try and make those expensive drugs cheaper for those who desire them. Maybe they could do deals with the pharmaceuticals companies to provide them at a bulk rate to the NHS, maybe make them knock a bit off additionally so it doesn’t look like they are unfairly profiting from cancer suffers (while acknowledging that monetary incentive is the only way innovation can continue, these companies need a reason, and money, to do their research)

We have the crazy situation that if you buy your own medication then the NHS won't provide for you.
Terry Pratchett is campainging against it I believe, as he's had to buy his medication becuase the NHS won't provide it during the early stages of his illness, so by the time he does degenerate enough to qualify for it, he won't get it on the NHS.

[Julian]

I have been a cancer patient since last year.

I have never paid for ANY drugs or treatment of any kind.
I have received chemotherapy, steroids, anti sickness drugs, blood, platelets, food via IV and free transport to and from my hospital.

I have heard of cases where patients have been charged outside of the hospital though. I guess that is what he is aiming at??

Also..... when do I stop being a cancer patient??

[fireman328]

My late wife had a condition called "non hodgkins lymphoma" which is basically cancer of the lymph system which stops working against antibodies and allows the body to "destroy" itself.
She did die, but there was no question, that she recieved the best care and no drugs were withheld to try every combination which might put it into regression.