An expert has warned that key changes are needed to the free NHS prescriptions system in England, as many people needlessly pay for their medication. The advocate says there should be a more proactive approach to letting people know they are eligible, as well as more targeted support.
Helen Lord, CEO of the Vulnerability Registration Service, which shares a person's information about their challenges and support needs with trusted partners, warns that vulnerable people who may be eligible to get their prescriptions for free, avoiding the £9.90 per item charge, may simply not know.
Vulnerable people face complex system
Ms Lord said: "We cannot expect overwhelmed and vulnerable people to navigate a complicated system of prescription exemptions and prepayment certificates, particularly when they may not even know that help exists.
"Nobody is necessarily going to tell them. When someone experiences domestic abuse, bereavement, a sudden loss of income or an unexpected caring responsibility, their ability to manage financially can change dramatically.
"These are precisely the moments when people may need support most, yet have the least capacity to seek it out."
Who could miss out
She said the system needs to change so that rather than the onus being on people to reach out for help, those with vulnerabilities are proactively identified to ensure they get "timely, targeted information and support".
Two groups who can potentially get their prescriptions for free are those on Universal Credit and Pension Credit, which supports people on low incomes. If your income suddenly drops and you become eligible for these benefits, you may not realise you also qualify to get your prescriptions free of charge.
Another potentially vulnerable group who can get their prescriptions for free are those aged 60 and over. Older people may have limited access to information to encourage them to apply for free prescriptions.
People with certain medical conditions can also get free prescriptions, and may need to get a medical exemption certificate to prove this. This includes people who have cancer or who are affected by cancer treatment, or if you have a physical disability meaning you need another person's help to go out.
NHS response
NHS prescriptions are completely free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Asked for a response, the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) says that help is available to proactively inform people that they may be able to get their medication for free.
This includes a Real Time Exemption Checking system used by pharmacies at the point a patient collects their medication, telling them instantly if they're exempt from paying for NHS prescriptions. This system also checks against DWP databases, to instantly confirm if someone is entitled due to receiving a qualifying benefit.
The NHS BSA also delivers promotional communications campaigns, including materials for use by charities, GPs, midwives and others, produced in a range of languages.
