The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a response to a petition calling for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) to be added to the prescription charge exemption list
Lauren Haughey Lifestyle and Money Reporter
11:18, 18 Aug 2025
The update comes after a petition reached more than 10,000 signatures(Image: sturti via Getty Images)
The Department of Health and Social Care has issued an update on NHS prescriptions following numerous complaints about ‘unfair’ costs. It follows a petition calling for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) to be included among conditions exempt from prescription charges, meaning many patients would no longer have to pay for their medication.
SCD is a group of serious, lifelong health conditions that affect red blood cells. It’s particularly prevalent among people with an African or Caribbean family background and can lead to several debilitating symptoms.
These include ‘sickle cell crises’, painful episodes that can last days or even weeks, an increased risk of infections, and anaemia, leading to extreme fatigue. Unlike treatments for diabetes, epilepsy and cancer, SCD medication is not currently included on the prescription charge exemption list.
A medical exemption certificate, not the medical condition, entitles certain patients to free NHS prescriptions(Image: Lyndon Stratford via Getty Images)
The creators of the parliamentary petition argue this is ‘unfair’ and that many patients ‘may not be able to work but still face monthly costs for vital medication’. However, the Government has stated that ‘extensive arrangements’ are already implemented to keep medication affordable in England, and there are ‘no current plans’ to include SCD in the exemption list.
Responding to the petition on August 11, the Government said: “The Government has no current plans to review the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, including relating to Sickle Cell Disease.
“There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with sickle cell disease may be eligible.”
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It’s vital to understand that a medical exemption certificate, rather than the medical condition itself, grants certain patients access to free NHS prescriptions. You can secure one by consulting a GP or doctor before filling out an application form.
These typically remain valid for five years before requiring renewal. However, anyone under 16, 16 to 18-year-olds in full-time education, and those over 60 are already entitled to free NHS prescriptions and do not require an exemption certificate.
The Department of Health and Social Care also noted that people on low incomes can apply for additional support with health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. This offers assistance to those who are not automatically exempt from charges but may still qualify for ‘full or partial help if they have a low income and savings below a defined limit’.
SCD describes a group of serious, life-long health conditions that impact red blood cells(Image: Carol Yepes via Getty Images)
Its response added: “People who need to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC), which allows people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost.
“A 3-monthly PPC (costing £32.05) or an annual PPC (costing £114.50) will save people money if they need four or more items in 3 months or 12 or more items in 12 months.
“To help spread the cost, people can pay for an annual PPC by 10 monthly direct debits. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week.”
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The initial petition, titled ‘Add Sickle Cell Disease to NHS Prescription Charge Exemption List’, presently has just over 25,700 signatures. Should it reach 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for a parliamentary debate. You can view the petition in full here.
Further details about the NHS Low Income Scheme are also available here, and a link to purchasing PPCs can be found here.