Prescription exemption card/certificate

[Northerner]

Got my first prescription from my new surgery today and when taking it to the pharmacy I thought I'd better make sure I have my exemption card in case the pharmacy ask to see it. Couldn't find it anywhere, so must have put it somewhere very 'safe' when moving house 😱 Gave up eventually and dropped into the surgery to get an exemption form so I can get a replacement. Then, as I was walking to the pharmacy it occurred to me that I would be exempt anyway in about a month's time as I turn 60, so no point applying! 🙄 They didn't ask anyway, could have saved all that searching! 🙂

Pleased to report that the surgery haven't quibbled about any of my prescription items, was ready for a fight if they wanted me to change meter or reduce my strip allowance! 😱 I did notice, however, that the items are now marked as 'Nov 5th', which might mean they won't prescribe again until then?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I did notice, however, that the items are now marked as 'Nov 5th', which might mean they won't prescribe again until then?

I had this on my prescription when a new team of so called doctors took over my surgery. I eventually managed to see a GP and explained I thought it was unacceptable to put a date limit as to when I could order my meds. The doctor agreed and removed the restriction from my repeats.

 

[Ljc]

I did notice, however, that the items are now marked as 'Nov 5th', which might mean they won't prescribe again until then?

😱I think you need to get that sorted pdq

 

[Northerner]

I had this on my prescription when a new team of so called doctors took over my surgery. I eventually managed to see a GP and explained I thought it was unacceptable to put a date limit as to when I could order my meds. The doctor agreed and removed the restriction from my repeats.

😱I think you need to get that sorted pdq

Yes, I think you're right - it works out at 8 weeks, which means just over 5 tests a day on my 300 strip allowance. I do a minimum of 5 a day, really it's more like 6-8. Also, my insulin requirements fluctuate quite a lot as we move into autumn/winter. It'll probably last, but I don't want to be nearly running out by the time I can order more 😱 Also, the inhaler will only last 50 days 🙄

 

[Sally71]

Ours always say number of issues left - 2" or something like that, presumably they are supposed to review you after you've had so many, but when it gets down to 0 it just gets reset automatically. They have never argued if I've put a prescription in a couple of days early either. I think we are quite lucky with our surgery, hope it stays that way!

 

[Robin]

When I go on line, the two items that my GP set up the repeat for have the next day's date, ie, I could order them immediately, but the ones that the nurse did ( which include my needles) have a date four weeks hence. I assume that's the default date, and the GP can override it.
As I get through a box every 25 days or less, I've always ordered when I need them, and always got them, but I usually post my paper repeat in the little box at the surgery as I'm passing, because it's just down the road. I've never tried ordering on line before the due date. I suspect the computer may say No!

 

[Flower]

My surgery uses the same 8 week system Northerner. The tick boxes to re-order online only become available after 49 days post the last request so I do have to remember to re-order as soon as the boxes appear as all my tablets are 56 days worth and who knows which way insulin requirements may go That system really doesn't work with a 50 day inhaler

 

[Northerner]

My surgery uses the same 8 week system Northerner. The tick boxes to re-order online only become available after 49 days post the last request so I do have to remember to re-order as soon as the boxes appear as all my tablets are 56 days worth and who knows which way insulin requirements may go That system really doesn't work with a 50 day inhaler

I bet that's the same system here then At my last surgery there wasn't anything like that, although I did have to explain a bit about the requirements for treating diabetes once or twice! 😱 I also get 200 needles, which if I was on the standard 4 or 5 injections a day would also be inadequate 🙄 I generally only have 3 per day, but nevertheless the logic of 56 days is something that can only really apply to the 56 tablets I get for blood pressure! If only diabetes was so predictable! 🙄

 

[Bronco Billy]

Why is it that when you are ready for a battle, you never get one? It only happens when you’re not prepared and only afterwards do you think of everything you should have said?

 

[mikeyB]

It’s similar everywhere - you just have to educate the doctors, particularly with insulin, needles, test strips and inhalers. As long as they know particular items are variable feasts, they will usually accommodate that. The receptionists can’t change prescriptions, nor can pharmacists. Just talk to the GP. Politely.🙄

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

On my surgery's online form there's a box to make custom requests, so if something's got too long a date on it I just use that to explain I'm going to need it sooner and why (eg "Please could I have test strips more frequently because I'm type 1 diabetic, I have hypoglycaemia unawareness, and I need to test at least 8-10 times a day so I might use up 200 in 20 days"). Sometimes I have to ask a couple of times to get it sorted, and if something is urgent I also email the surgery diabetes nurse to ask her to make sure it's done asap, but I've never had a problem getting them to change the dates.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

You have just reminded me ... I wonder when my exemption certificate expires/expired? I have a horrible feeling it was about a year and a half ago ... 😱

 

[Northerner]

You have just reminded me ... I wonder when my exemption certificate expires/expired? I have a horrible feeling it was about a year and a half ago ... 😱

I missed mine by a couple of years a while back 😱 I was reminded by all the fuss about people getting fines even though a lot of them (mostly Type 1s who had been diagnosed for decades, before the certificates came in) never even knew they should have them 😱 Get a form from your surgery 🙂

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Thanks, Northerner 🙂 I have to find the certificate I've got first, I wonder where it is ... 😳

 

[mikeyB]

Gosh, all these worries. Move to Scotland- everybody gets free prescriptions, there’s no such thing as exemption certificates. Why? Well, when you get rid of all the bureaucracy to run the scheme, and take account of the number of exemptions in relation to benefits, and all that tosh, it’s actually cheaper to make all prescriptions free.

The same would apply in England, too. Prescription charges are just a tax on the ill.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

I would seriously consider it (not just for the exemption-certificate-free free prescriptions) if I didn't have a 90 year old mother living in Kent - or even if I were well enough to travel from Scotland to Kent to visit her!

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Phew - found mine and it still has a while to go before it expires 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Phew - found mine and it still has a while to go before it expires 🙂

If only the diabetes would expire at the same time as the certificate! 😱 🙂

My diabetes is due to expire,
I’ve got about three years remaining,
For my friend got a letter that implied she’d get better,
And we all found it most entertaining!

Bureaucracy dictates that our diabetic fates
Lie in answering just one simple question,
‘Since last you applied, please confirm or deny
Can your pancreas cope with glucose ingestion?’

Could it be, all along, that the doctors are wrong,
And diabetes is not a lifetime affliction?
Tick the right box – you’re cured, that’s one diabetic fewer,
And you won’t need those horrid prescriptions!

It’s a ‘no’ then from me – I am diabetes-free,
And I’m off to the pub for some drinking!
And I’ll eat what I like with no fear of a spike!
Dr Banting, what on earth were you thinking?

{c} Northerner 2010