Prescription Charges Flashcards
Outline what is a prescription charge
- It is a contribution towards the costs of medicines prescribed by an
NHS prescriber - It was introduced in 1952 at a price of 5 pence. (the same cost as a
litre of petrol at the time) - The charge was abolished in 1965 and reintroduced in 1968
How much is a prescription charge and why does it increase?
£9.35
- Pharmacies set their own prices
Why are prescription charges continuous
- Its expensive for the public
- The rules are not the same across the UK
- Some medicines cost more than 1 prescription charge whilst some are
free. - We will discuss this in more detail later
Outline how you can buy pre-payment certificates
- Buy online
- Buy in the pharmacy
- Buy over the telephone
- Refunds for prescription charges already paid
Outline 2 types of people who are exempt to prescription charges
Age
* Under 16, 16-18 in full time eductaion, 60 and over
Pregnant women
* Pregnant women and those who have had a baby in the last 12
months
* Need Maternity Exemption Certificate
Outline 1 type of people who are exempt to prescription charges
Patients receiving benefits
* Income Support
* Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
* Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
* Pension Credits
* Universal Credit
* Fill HC2/HC3 form
Outline 1 more type of people who are exempt to prescription charges
Tax Credits
* Child Tax Credit
* Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit paid together
* Working Tax Credit including a disability element
* Need NHS tax exemption certificate
Outline Medical exemption certificate
Medical conditions include
- A permanent fistula
- Hypoadrenalism
- Certain types of diabetes
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Myasthenia gravis
- Myxoedema
- Epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
- A continuing physical disability
- Cancer
JUST LEARN THIS -
Medical exemption certificate valid for 5 years
Outline HC2/HC3 certificates
- Exemption for the NHS low income scheme
- Have to apply
- Usually used by low income families and students
- HC2 covers all health costs
- HC3 covers a limited range of health costs
Outline war prension scheme and armed forces compensation scheme
- Claimants are given and an exemption certificate and covers disability
related to injury - Does not cover all costs
- Need to check very carefully when completing the declaration
Outline how can you make a difference in supporting patients
with prescription charges?
- Stock HC11/HC12 leaflets
- Provide NHS receipts FP57 forms to patients where necessary
- Get patients to check their exemption details are up to date
There is currently Real Time Exemption Checking service for prescriptions making pharmacy roles easier
Outline prescirption charge and professional fees
- Patients pay £9.35 as a prescription charge per item NOT per sheet of
paper or electronic form.
Pharmacy contractors in England are paid £1.27 per item dispensed
This is called a single activity fee and covers:
* The cost of dispensing the item
* A contribution towards the cost of running the pharmacy
* A contribution towards running the repeat dispensing service
* A contribution towards running the electronic prescription service
Outline prescriptions which do not incur a charge
- Contraceptives
- Drugs used as contraceptives endorsed with (CC, OC or ♀)
- Antibiotics prescribed for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections
and endorsed with FS - Combination products that contain a placebo element (the placebo part of
the medicine is free)
Outline prescriptions where one charge is payable
- The same drug or preparation is supplied in more than one container.
- Different strengths of the same drug are ordered as separate
prescriptions on the same prescription form - More than one appliance of the same type (other than hosiery*) is
supplied. - A set of parts making up a complete appliance is supplied.
- Drugs are supplied in powder form with the solvent separate for
subsequent admixing. - A drug is supplied with a dropper, throat brush, or vaginal applicator.
- Several flavours of the same preparation are supplied.
