Conditions entitling you to free prescriptions
- Cancer (also includes treatment for the
effects of cancer or treatment for the effects of a current or
previous cancer treatment)
- Fistula (a permanent fistula requiring
dressing)
- Hypoadrenalism such as Addison's
disease
- Diabetes mellitus (Type 1 and Type 2) -
except where treatment is by diet alone
- Diabetes insipidus and other types of
hypopituitarism
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Myxoedema (underactive thyroid) and
other conditions where thyroid hormone replacement is
necessary
- Myasthenia gravis
- Epilepsy (requiring continuous
anti-convulsive medication)
- Continuing physical disability that
means you cannot go out without help from another person.
If you have any of the conditions listed
above, ask for application form FP92A (1 January 2009) from your
GP's surgery. You will need to fill it in and your doctor (or an
authorised member of the practice staff) will sign to confirm the
information you've given is correct. You will then be sent a
Medical Exemption Certificate.
If you
have a Medical Exemption Certificate, all your prescriptions are
free, whatever the medication is prescribed for.
If you do not qualify for exemption but pay for regular
medication for ongoing conditions (more than 14 items in 12
months), it may be worth buying a Prescription Pre-payment
Certificate ('season ticket'). You can buy a three-month or a
12-month certificate and any prescriptions during that period will
be covered. Apply for a Prescription Pre-payment Certificate by
completing form FP95 available from pharmacies and GP surgeries,
online at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx
or by telephone - 0845 850 0030.
More information about prescription charges can be found in the
national booklet titled 'Help with health costs (HC11)' - this is
available from the Information Zone or the RBH Cashiers Office or
can be downloaded from www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HelpWithHealthCosts.aspx