BarryRiley Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Why is it that some illnesses grant you prescription charge exemption yet others of equal seriousness do not. Suffering from diabetes enables you to receive free medication on the NHS yet suffering from asthma does not. Why is this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert_Baehr Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 At one time (not that long ago) all prescriptions were free. Prescription charges were introduced because the NHS did not have the money to pay for everything. Some asthmatics recover. Diabetics (other than those with gestational diabetes) do not recover. Some asthmatics need medication often; others need medication infrequently. Diabetics who are using insulin or other medications need those meds every day. An untreated asthmatic may die. An untreated diabetic will die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteMorris Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 At one time (not that long ago) all prescriptions were free. Prescription charges were introduced because the NHS did not have the money to pay for everything. Some asthmatics recover. Diabetics do not recover. Some asthmatics need medication often; others need medication infrequently. Diabetics who are using insulin or other medications need those meds every day. An untreated asthmatic may die. An untreated diabetic will die. Excellent response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I also think what Rupert says is about right. How long ago is "not that long ago". I cannot ever remember all scrips being free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryRiley Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 At one time (not that long ago) all prescriptions were free. Prescription charges were introduced because the NHS did not have the money to pay for everything. Some asthmatics recover. Diabetics do not recover. Some asthmatics need medication often; others need medication infrequently. Diabetics who are using insulin or other medications need those meds every day. An untreated asthmatic may die. An untreated diabetic will die. Obviously, if the asthma goes away then the person's exemption should be taken away, as it would be if you had cancer but had gotten the all clear - you would no longer need cancer/asthma medication so this is not an issue. There are different degrees of asthma. I am referring to the asthma in which medication is taken every day, and which would result in death if said medication was not taken. How are these sufferers in less need of free prescriptions than diabetics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffragette1 Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Diabetes is a life long chronic condition which can (and often does) lead to all kinds of other health conditions which will need treatment, therefore, the chances of increased medications for related health problems is very high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteMorris Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I also think what Rupert says is about right. How long ago is "not that long ago". I cannot ever remember all scrips being free. http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/nhs-prescription-charges here's the info. it's been around for quite a while! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willman Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 If you examine the potential for further ailments linked to an illness - Graves Disease for instance. The ongoing prescription charges for conditions related to the ailment is massive hence the option of free prescriptions. Although asthma is a terrible ailment i don't believe it causes any other issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smythe74 Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 As a type 1 diabetic I personally am pleased I dont have to pay for my perscriptions, it's not only the insulin, you have to take it to account all the other stuff i.e. needles injecting pens, blood testing kits, I thinks thats also the reson why we dont pay. That said I personally would have no objection to paying for perscriptions for any illness not related to diabetes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodStar Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 At one time (not that long ago) all prescriptions were free. Prescription charges were introduced because the NHS did not have the money to pay for everything. Some asthmatics recover. Diabetics (other than those with gestational diabetes) do not recover. Some asthmatics need medication often; others need medication infrequently. Diabetics who are using insulin or other medications need those meds every day. An untreated asthmatic may die. An untreated diabetic will die. I think you will find that ultimately both will die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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