Question about prescriptions

I'm a bit confused here. My husband seems to think that since I am unemployed still, that I don't have to pay for any prescriptions I get. I've read over the list of people who are exempt, and it seems to only apply to those people receiving benefits (which I'm not, and I'm not even allowed to get). So I don't think I can... but we're REALLY strapped for cash right now, especially with it being the end of the month (pay day is only a week away, but we don't have much to get us to then), and we can't really afford to pay for my prescriptions because we need what we have for food.

What can I do?

Steph,
May I ask what kind of medication it is. I just went to the dr last month and because I take thyroid meds it is on the exemption list and I was able to get an exemption card because of the type of meds I needed. It wasn't based on having a job or not.

Just some antibiotics for an infection, and anti-inflamatories for tennis elbow. I don't fall under anything on that list.

Should I just go into the pharmacy and ask? I'm not sure what to do.

steph - as I understand it, if you claim Jobseeker's Allowance you get free prescriptions, but not just for being "unemployed".

See, that's what I thought. And I keep trying to tell my husband and he doesn't get it.

I might have to wait until next week to get them then.

Which is not entirely helpful.

You will need to pay for those.  As you mentioned, you are not allowed to accept public funds and this would fall under that category

Who is entitled to free prescriptions?
You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:

•are 60 or over,
•are under 16,
•are 16-18 and in full-time education,
•are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx),  
•have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx),
•have a continuing physical disability which means you can't go out without help from another person and have a valid MedEx,
•hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability, or you  
•are an NHS inpatient.
You are also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partners) are named on or are entitled to an NHS tax credit exemption certificate or a valid HC2 certificate (full help with health costs), or you receive either:

•Income Support,
•Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance,
•Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or  
•Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
 Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).

Update: Everything is sorted. I realized I still had about $40 in my US bank account, so I was able to withdraw enough for the prescriptions. Thank goodness.

Thanks for your help, everyone. (Also, I finally got my husband to understand what I was saying.)

If you have to pay for more than 3 prescription items in 3 months, or 14 items in 12 months, you could save money with a Prescription Prepayment certificate (PPC).

Info here.