MILLIONS are at risk of ending up in hospital because of the upcoming prescription charge hike, campaigners have warned.
Prescription items are currently £9.35, which is set to go up to £9.65 in England from April 1.
Prescription items are set to go up to £9.65 in England from April 1
It comes after the price was frozen at £9.35 per item last April to help Brits cope with the cost of living crisis.
Many people are exempt from prescription charges, namely over 60s, under 16s and those with certain health condition.
However, several long-term health conditions are not included on the exemption list, including people with asthma, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s and Colitis, motor neurone disease, cystic fibrosis, stroke and Parkinson’s.
The Department of]Health estimates that about 15 million people in England have at least one long-term condition.
Campaigners say the price increase will “create a health emergency” for people with these conditions.
“We know the price rise will result in sick people relying more on NHS services that are already at breaking point,” Laura Cockram, chair of the campaign group Prescription Charges Coalition, explained.
The cost-of-living crisis has meant people are already having to choose between vital prescriptions and things such as eating, The Sun previously reported.
In some cases, people are returning unused medicines to pharmacies in a bid to get refunds so they can scrape by.
Laura added: “The prescription charge exemption list needs urgent reform.
“It is not meeting the needs of people with long term conditions, and is putting their health at risk which we fear will intensify as the charges increase.”
The cost of prescription pre-payment certificates (PPCs) will also be increased: 3-month PPC increases by £1 to £31.25 and 12-month PPC increases by £3.50 to £111.60.
And the recently introduced hormone replacement therapy PPC will cost £19.30.
England is the only country in the UK that still charges for prescription meds.
Who is exempt from prescription charges?
You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:
are 60 or over
are under 16
are 16 to 18 and in full-time education
are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
are an NHS inpatient
Medical exemption certificates are issued if you have:
cancer, including the effects of cancer or the effects of current or previous cancer treatment
a permanent fistula (for example, a laryngostomy, colostomy, ileostomy or some renal dialysis fistulas) requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance
a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s disease)
diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
hypoparathyroidism
myasthenia gravis
myxoedema (hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)
epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
a continuing physical disability that means you cannot go out without the help of another person (temporary disabilities do not count, even if they last for several months)
You’re also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you’re under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving various income support.
Read more about who can get free NHS prescriptions.