There is a medical exemption list which sets out who does and doesn’t have to pay for their essential medication in England.
This list is out of date and makes no sense and we believe it is time it was reviewed. Created in 1968, it has barely changed since then. Many conditions that people now live with for years either didn’t exist or were associated with such a short life expectancy it was not thought necessary to add them. There are also odd and unfair anomalies.
For example, for people with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, medical exemption only applies if you have a permanent fistula (for example colostomy or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance – or another condition that is on the list, such as diabetes or epilepsy.
Working people with long term conditions are disproportionately affected by prescription charges and many fall just above the threshold for low income exemptions. As a result, 1 in 3 people in England with a long-term condition have not collected medication due to the cost, and many self-ration their medication to save money. This can have a significant impact on quality of life and lead to major health problems.
The cost of the Prescription Prepayment Certificate has been frozen at £104 for 12 months, payable by direct debit, or £29.10 for 3 months. However many people don’t find out about this until they have paid out high costs for their medication. Many have also told us this is still unaffordable for them, and it can be hard to know if it will be worthwhile if you have a fluctuating and unpredictable condition like Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
As co-chairs of the Prescription Charges Coalition, working with almost 40 organisations, we are calling for this to be addressed. We need your help to press the Government to reform the medical exemption list and ensure it includes all those with long-term conditions in England, including everyone with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
How you can help
Tell your MP about this issue and let us know what they say by sending the response to ppr@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk
If this issue affects you, get in touch with the Prescription Charges Coalition and help us illustrate the problems people face.
