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Transplant Medication

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 10:30 am
by R30
I wonder if anyone in the UK can answer a question I have regarding transplant medication. I am due to undergo a live transplant in September, and no one seems to be able to tell me whether or not I will have to pay for my medication after my operation. Currently, I have a medical exemption certificate as I have a catheter for dialysis, but I am assuming this exemption ends once I have my operation. Neither my consultant nor my pharmacist could tell me.
Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ruth

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 12:38 pm
by Sueleic
Hi
When me and my husband went to our open day at his hospital we were told once transplanted you have to pay for your prescriptions (which by the way I think is wrong)
But I read on a website not sure if it was nhs site that if you have certain things you can still be exempt one of the things was a fistula but I’m sure there will be many others on this board who will help
Sue

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 5:21 pm
by Andy
Hi Ruth,
I do not have to pay for my perscriptions post Tx but that is because i am in full time education and under 25 or 21 which ever it is!!!
But my friend who has had a Tx has to pay for his medication.
cheers
Andy

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 5:35 pm
by Hal
Hi Ruth,

I believe you have to pay unless you are on certain benefits such as income support or are under 18 and under in full time education.

However, you can pay around £30.00 per quarter or £90.00 per year for a pre payment certificate which should cover all your prescriptions I believe ... so you are only paying a tiny percentage of the medications.

Hal.

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 8:41 am
by Mike
Hi,

Hal's right, I have a prepayment card which covers all of my presciptions and it costs me £ 91.80 a year otherwise it would cost me more than £50 every couple of months. definately worth considering.

I agree that we shouldn't have to pay for drugs post transplant but I doubt that will ever happen. I've got a feeling that the exemption certificate is valid for 5 years but I may be wrong?

mike

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 10:56 am
by Rik
Hi Ruth...
unfortunately like all the others have said ... transplantees have to pay for their prescriptions ... unless you can find a handy exemption clause ...
I still smugly show my exemption card each time I go pick up my prescription ...
did you get an exemption card?? and if so when does it run out?? ... cant you use it til it runs out?? not that I would personally do such a thing myself :roll:

Transplant Meds

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:44 am
by R30
Hi Rik
Thanks to you and everyone else for the postings.
I have an exemption card that expires in 2009, but that is dependent on me having a catheter so I assume that once I've had the op it doesn't apply anymore.
You're right - I wouldn't dream of using an exemption card unlawfully.... :lol: !!!
Ruth

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:33 pm
by JMan
give the NKF Helpline a call.. they have some info on this IIRC.

Contact details as follows:


http://www.kidney.org.uk/main/helpline.html

0845 601 02 09
(charged at LOCAL CALL RATE, UK only)

basically its reasonable to get at least 6 - 12 months worth post transplant or however long it takes you to get 'back to normal'
You can of course claim it as usual on other things that might be affected such as low income, incapacity benefit etc..

Basically anything that allows help with NHS costs. See CAB website for more information http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/nm/index/ ... rtificates