[Split]

Did I hear correctly on the radio? Prescription charges in the UK cost around 9 quid? In Spain, I am only paying the VAT. Two monthly boxes of tablets cost me around 1.7 Euros.

 

[hawkey01]

Split,

Yes! However if you are over 60 they are free. Under 16 or 16-18 if in full time education are free. Also there is a prescription prepayment card which gives you a better deal if on regular medication under 60.
When we were in Spain we had certain medications at reduced cost and some were at full price.

Hawkey01

 

[Varley]

Not the UK. Only (now) England. Discounts for chronic users are available cutting the maximum for those of regular doses of the same thing to 104 PA.

In the IoM is similar but as a pensioner I am presently exempt. I was made exempt at 60 but the rules changed. I was again exempt at 65.

What element is VATable in Spain? If it the cost of the drug that could still be a sizeable chunk for some couldn't it?

 

[Ron Stringer]

The description "Prescription Charge" is misleading in England, the £9 charge is not for the entire prescription but per item on the prescription.

 

[Varley]

Sorry. Ron is right I should have made that clear. Same here too.

 

[gypcoll]

prescription charges in Wales and Scotland already free as i understand it, and they say 80% of charges in uk are free at present, however at £9 per item, imagine a guy with two or more kids and a mortgage, being given a prescription from the Dr, should imagine, just tear it up,

 

[Ken Wood]

Here in Scotland all prescriptions are free. Just as well, with the number of drugs I am on! In England, the cost of collecting the charges probably well exceeds the cost of the prescriptions themselves.

 

[lakercapt]

Here in Ontario the cost of prescription drugs for persons over 65 years and under 18 or if in full time education is not exactly free but each 1st August the charge is for $200. After paying this it is free.
Each province has their own rules.
One thing tat is an anomaly is as a diabetic insulin is free but you pay for the needles.!!!

 

[Split]

Not the UK. Only (now) England. Discounts for chronic users are available cutting the maximum for those of regular doses of the same thing to 104 PA.

In the IoM is similar but as a pensioner I am presently exempt. I was made exempt at 60 but the rules changed. I was again exempt at 65.

What element is VATable in Spain? If it the cost of the drug that could still be a sizeable chunk for some couldn't it?

I'll have to check out the %age of VAT on medicines. I'll do that and let you know. I'm a pensioner, but am a bit lax on what is free for me and what isn't. Maybe, all these different rules and charges are simiilar here.

 

[martin winn]

AS far as I am aware, the charge for pensioners in Spain is 10% of the actual cost of the drug, up to a maximum of E30.

 

[Philthechill]

As I'm virtually----

----housebound, (that f****r Arthur Itis has got me well-and-truly in his grip), I get my prescriptions delivered.
When I'm down to a weeks supply I ring a Call Centre.
I tell them what I need and they pass it on to our local Doctor who 'authorises'.
Prescription is sent to Chemist he puts the various boxes (5), in a paper bag, gives bag to 'a-man-with-a-van' who brings it to me.
Shock, Horror, this a.m.
Rang Call Centre to give them my 'list'. Long pause! Ring-tone! Then, instead of the usual "Hello, Fiona/Mary/Ann etc.", (or whoever it is answering), "How can I help you?".
Not this time!
It was the dreaded recorded-message with Gawd knows how many 'Menu's'. No.2 being the one where you dictated the names of the various pills and potions you wanted.
I hung-up, re-dialled and waited for the final 'option', "If you want to speak to an operator----".
I was No.3 in 'the queue'. Eventually I spoke to a helper who took my 'needs'.
I told her I didn't think the new system was a good idea, because of the names of the various items, as some pensioners may 'mis-order'.
However, as I put to her, suppose someone can't pronounce a 'name' properly and they get the wrong item?
As a lot of people re-order when they've only a couple of pills left, they could be in trouble waiting for the 'mistake' to be rectified as nowt is fast because of the torturous route from caller, to Call Centre, to Doctor, to Dispenser, to patient!
Phew! Seemed 'an item of interest' when I was writing it but, having read it through I wonder------. Phil

 

[Split]

I'll have to check out the %age of VAT on medicines. I'll do that and let you know. I'm a pensioner, but am a bit lax on what is free for me and what isn't. Maybe, all these different rules and charges are simiilar here.

I went into the chemist for a talk and I am wrong, prescription charges are not based on VAT in Spain, as I had thought.

It is all much the same as the UK ie. all over the place, depending on where one lives, income, age, etc.

 

[Varley]

Thanks, Split. Follow up appreciated. David V

 

[yung]

----housebound, (that f****r Arthur Itis has got me well-and-truly in his grip), I get my prescriptions delivered.
When I'm down to a weeks supply I ring a Call Centre.
I tell them what I need and they pass it on to our local Doctor who 'authorises'.
Prescription is sent to Chemist he puts the various boxes (5), in a paper bag, gives bag to 'a-man-with-a-van' who brings it to me.
Shock, Horror, this a.m.
Rang Call Centre to give them my 'list'. Long pause! Ring-tone! Then, instead of the usual "Hello, Fiona/Mary/Ann etc.", (or whoever it is answering), "How can I help you?".
Not this time!
It was the dreaded recorded-message with Gawd knows how many 'Menu's'. No.2 being the one where you dictated the names of the various pills and potions you wanted.
I hung-up, re-dialled and waited for the final 'option', "If you want to speak to an operator----".
I was No.3 in 'the queue'. Eventually I spoke to a helper who took my 'needs'.
I told her I didn't think the new system was a good idea, because of the names of the various items, as some pensioners may 'mis-order'.
However, as I put to her, suppose someone can't pronounce a 'name' properly and they get the wrong item?
As a lot of people re-order when they've only a couple of pills left, they could be in trouble waiting for the 'mistake' to be rectified as nowt is fast because of the torturous route from caller, to Call Centre, to Doctor, to Dispenser, to patient!
Phew! Seemed 'an item of interest' when I was writing it but, having read it through I wonder------. Phil

Glad I know how to use a computer put the order in myself then go collect from the chemist in my own time.

 

[expats]

Glad I know how to use a computer put the order in myself then go collect from the chemist in my own time.

Gave up on that...After the third computer system change in 6 months at my local GP I've gone to Pharmacy2U.

There was a delay this time and Pharmacy2U sent me an e-mail saying that they'd not received my prescription,,,Drove to GP's surgery to ask why...It turns out there's been another change and, because of Brexit, all repeat prescription items must be reviewed by a doctor before being OK'd ...
Receptionist says that has caused a big backlog as every item must 'pass muster' before being cleared for issue...

Arrrrrrgh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[callpor]

Gave up on that...After the third computer system change in 6 months at my local GP I've gone to Pharmacy2U.

There was a delay this time and Pharmacy2U sent me an e-mail saying that they'd not received my prescription,,,Drove to GP's surgery to ask why...It turns out there's been another change and, because of Brexit, all repeat prescription items must be reviewed by a doctor before being OK'd ...
Receptionist says that has caused a big backlog as every item must 'pass muster' before being cleared for issue...

Arrrrrrgh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Expats,

My wife and I have lived in France since I retired nearly 18 years ago. I have just picked up our quarterly carrier bag of prescription drugs for my wife and I and paid nothing. The costs are split between the state health system and our mutuelle top-up insurer in about a 70/30 split, so I guess we are paying roughly 30% of the cost. There was no remarks about Brexit, and I would not expect there to be, I am currently a European citizen!
Cheers, Chris

 

[expats]

Expats,

My wife and I have lived in France since I retired nearly 18 years ago. I have just picked up our quarterly carrier bag of prescription drugs for my wife and I and paid nothing. The costs are split between the state health system and our mutuelle top-up insurer in about a 70/30 split, so I guess we are paying roughly 30% of the cost. There was no remarks about Brexit, and I would not expect there to be, I am currently a European citizen!
Cheers, Chris

Chris, I lived for 15 years in France from 2000..Only rerturning to the UK for family reasons ... I miss the French health system as, IMO, it's the best in the world,,Same day doctor's appointment, specialists/surgeons within a week or so, etc. e.g.My hernia operation was done and dusted within 5 working days...

 

[stein]

Here in Norway I pay nothing for necessary medicines prescribed by a hospital, although serious money for vitamin pills and the like. For tests or treatment at any medical institution I pay a certain part of their total charges until my payments in total, including a percentage of my travel expenses, reach NOK 2000 within a single year (that is about GBP 200). Visits to a dentist is not included in this arrangement, but will have to be paid for in full.

 

[kevjacko]

----housebound, (that f****r Arthur Itis has got me well-and-truly in his grip), I get my prescriptions delivered.
When I'm down to a weeks supply I ring a Call Centre.
I tell them what I need and they pass it on to our local Doctor who 'authorises'.
Prescription is sent to Chemist he puts the various boxes (5), in a paper bag, gives bag to 'a-man-with-a-van' who brings it to me.
Shock, Horror, this a.m.
Rang Call Centre to give them my 'list'. Long pause! Ring-tone! Then, instead of the usual "Hello, Fiona/Mary/Ann etc.", (or whoever it is answering), "How can I help you?".
Not this time!
It was the dreaded recorded-message with Gawd knows how many 'Menu's'. No.2 being the one where you dictated the names of the various pills and potions you wanted.
I hung-up, re-dialled and waited for the final 'option', "If you want to speak to an operator----".
I was No.3 in 'the queue'. Eventually I spoke to a helper who took my 'needs'.
I told her I didn't think the new system was a good idea, because of the names of the various items, as some pensioners may 'mis-order'.
However, as I put to her, suppose someone can't pronounce a 'name' properly and they get the wrong item?
As a lot of people re-order when they've only a couple of pills left, they could be in trouble waiting for the 'mistake' to be rectified as nowt is fast because of the torturous route from caller, to Call Centre, to Doctor, to Dispenser, to patient!
Phew! Seemed 'an item of interest' when I was writing it but, having read it through I wonder------. Phil

We have a system called 'pharmacovigilance' which all suppliers of drugs, and medical services both NHS and private must sign up to. It is presided over normally by a Caldicote guardian within the organisation. It is there to investigate and report on wrongly prescribed drugs, patient misuse or substance abuse, pharmaceutical errors, patient protection issues etc etc
Going by what your experience Phil, and the potential for error they will gave one very busy Caldicote guardian on their hands.