People who suffer from certain ailments can get their medicine for free, provided they apply for a medical exemption certificate – check if you are eligible
A medical exemption certificate is required for free prescriptions(Image: George Clerk via Getty Images)
NHS prescriptions currently cost £9.90 per item, but some individuals can reduce this cost to nothing depending on the condition they are medicating. According to the health service, there are only 10 qualifying conditions and patients will need to obtain a medical exemption certificate proving they have a qualifying condition and are eligible for free prescriptions.
Fistulas
Fistulas, an abnormal connection between two parts of the body, can occur as a side effect of issues such as cancer or be surgically created through operations such as colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy which connects part of the bowel to the skin.
This can qualify you for free prescriptions if the fistula is permanent, such as a caecostomy or colostomy, and requires continuous surgical dressing or an appliance for management.
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This condition is caused when the adrenal glands, which play a significant role in the body’s response to stress, don’t function properly. It can qualify for free prescriptions if specific substitution therapy is needed to treat the condition – for example, Addison’s Disease which is often treated with hormone replacement therapy.
Hypopituitarism
This condition affects the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, causing it to not produce enough of one or more hormones. It can trigger conditions such as diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism that qualify for free prescriptions.
Diabetes patients can get free medicine but on one condition(Image: SimpleImages via Getty Images)Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, the official scientific term for diabetes, is a condition where your body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot process it effectively. Free prescriptions are available only if your specific type of diabetes cannot be managed by diet alone, which is often the case with type two diabetes.
Hypoparathyroidism
This rare endocrine disorder affects the parathyroid glands in your neck and can lead to issues with bones, muscles and nerves. The majority of patients can manage the condition by taking vitamin D and calcium supplements for life.
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Myasthenia gravis is a rare, long-term condition that causes muscle weakness. It’s most common in women under 40 and men over 60. A range of medications, often taken multiple times a day for short-term relief, can usually treat it.
Myxoedema
This is a severe form of an underactive thyroid. It’s typically treated with thyroid hormone replacement medication and can qualify for free prescriptions as a result.
Free prescriptions are also available to cancer patients(Image: Liliya Krueger via Getty Images)Cancer
Cancer patients receive free prescriptions for medications to treat the cancer, its effects or the effects of the cancer treatment.
Epilepsy
This neurological condition qualifies for free prescriptions only if you are prescribed continuous anticonvulsive treatments to manage it. If you have epilepsy, according to the NHS, you’ll be entitled to free prescriptions for all of your medicines.
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If you have a persistent physical disability that requires the assistance of another person to go out, you may be eligible for free prescriptions, reports the Mirror. This is typically evaluated on an individual basis and it’s crucial to understand that qualification requires the help of a specific person rather than a guide dog or special equipment, according to the Care Home resource website.
If you meet the criteria for free prescriptions under these circumstances, you’ll need to obtain the application form for a medical exemption certificate from your GP or doctor. These certificates usually last for five years before they need to be renewed.
Claiming free prescriptions without a valid medical exemption certificate, or failing to bring it with you to the pharmacy when collecting your medications, could result in a penalty charge.