Prescriptions charges in the UKFree prescriptionsYou can get free NHS prescriptions if you suffer from a number of medical conditions, including Diabetes Insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism i.e. free prescriptions are available for patients suffering from pituitary disorders who require at least one of the following drugs: You will need a Prescription Charge Exemption Certificate (FP92) which you can get from your Health Authority. To obtain the certificate you must complete form FP92A (EC92A in Scotland) which is available from your doctor, hospital or pharmacist. The form (which will need to be signed by your doctor) tells you what to do. These certificates only last for a finite period after which they must be renewed. Your health authority may automatically send out an application for renewal. Unfortunately, Bromocriptine, cabergoline and quinagolide are not exempt and you will have to pay for these unless you qualify for free prescriptions. Also, testosterone replacement therapy is not exempt if you do not suffer from hypopituitarism.
Information about free prescriptions and the full list of medical conditions which qualify for exemption from prescription charges can be found in leaflet HC11 (click here), available from pharmacies, some doctors' surgeries and main Post Offices. Information can also be found online here If you are not sure whether you are entitled to free prescriptions, you must pay for your prescription and ask for a NHS receipt (form FP57 in England, EC57 in Scotland) when you pay; you can't get one at a later date. This form tells you how to get your money back.
Pre-payment certificateIf you are not entitled to free prescriptions and you think you will have to pay for more than 5 items in 4 months or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a pre-payment certificate. More information can be found online here.
Prescriptions charges in the Republic of IrelandLong-term illness schemeIf you are a patient in the Republic of Ireland and you suffer from certain long-term medical conditions, including diabetes insipidus, you are entitled to get the drugs and medicines for the treatment of that illness free of charge. More information can be obtained from your local Health Board or online at http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories Drugs payment schemeIf you do not qualify for a medical card you are required to pay for all drugs and medicines not covered under the long-term sickness scheme (above). Under the drugs payment scheme, a single payment covers all prescribed drugs and medicines purchased during one calendar month. More information can be obtained from your local Health Board or online at www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/health/entitlement-to-health-services/drugs-payment-scheme. General information about prescribed drugs and medicines in the Republic of Ireland can be found online at http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/health/entitlement-to-health-services/prescribed_drugs_and_medicines.
Did you find this information useful? This information has come to you through the kind support of our donors, many of them pituitary patients and carers of pituitary patients. If you would like to help to ensure that this service continues to be available, please contribute by clicking on the button:  Your donation will be secure and GiftAid will be assessed for UK taxpayers, increasing your donation by up to 28%. Or send a cheque, payable to The Pituitary Foundation, to: The Pituitary Foundation, PO Box 1944, Bristol, BS99 2UB. Please help us continue to provide crucial information to the pituitary community by donating today.
|
Living with Pituitary 
