Student on student visa, will have flr(m) soon prescription costs?

Just like above, I'm a student on a student visa and should be getting my flr(m) shortly. If I get mental health medication and other prescriptions, do I need to pay for the medication? The office staff told me that because I'm a student I don't need to pay but I fear they are mistaken since I'm not a British student. I don't want to get in trouble and am just making sure.

Thanks in advance

Do you mean that they said that you have to pay because you're not a British student? In my experiences, this has not been the case. I am a student on tier 4 and whenever I pick up a prescription, I am asked if I am in the paying category or non-paying category. It should be the same for you. If you are in the non-paying category, tell them and if they are still unsure, call NHS direct and that should sort it out

Do you mean that they said that you have to pay because you're not a British student? In my experiences, this has not been the case. I am a student on tier 4 and whenever I pick up a prescription, I am asked if I am in the paying category or non-paying category. It should be the same for you. If you are in the non-paying category, tell them and if they are still unsure, call NHS direct and that should sort it out

Well I haven't ordered any yet but I asked the staff in my gp's office since I wasn't sure. I asked if I was in the paying or non-paying catagory and they told me non-paying. I just have a feeling they're not taking into consideration that I'm under immigration control.

There's a useful guide online as to who qualifies for free prescriptions and which prescriptions are free.

Prescription costs

Students only qualify for free prescriptions if they are 16-18 and in full-time education.

There's a useful guide online as to who qualifies for free prescriptions and which prescriptions are free.

Prescription costs

Students only qualify for free prescriptions if they are 16-18 and in full-time education.

Thank you very much that's helped tons. So the people I was speaking to must have thought I was 16-18 when I said I was a student lol. Oh geez!

Thank you very much that's helped tons. So the people I was speaking to must have thought I was 16-18 when I said I was a student lol. Oh geez!

Take it as a compliment!

But I thought that if you are diagnosed with something specific, in my case an autoimmune thyroid disease, then you're still exempt from prescription charges?

have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)

But I thought that if you are diagnosed with something specific, in my case an autoimmune thyroid disease, then you're still exempt from prescription charges?

have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)

Indeed, but you have to have the mentioned MedEx card. I don't think her mental health medicines would be covered by that.

Take it as a compliment!

Haha yeah I probably should

There's a useful guide online as to who qualifies for free prescriptions and which prescriptions are free.

Prescription costs

Students only qualify for free prescriptions if they are 16-18 and in full-time education.

Yeah, I'm British and was a student in the UK from 2001-2005 (age 18-22) and from 2006-2007 (age 23-24)... I didn't qualify for free prescriptions at all after my 19th birthday.

Yeah, I'm British and was a student in the UK from 2001-2005 (age 18-22) and from 2006-2007 (age 23-24)... I didn't qualify for free prescriptions at all after my 19th birthday.

Thanks for the confirmation. It's weird that my uni friends get free medication (or so they say).  Strange.

In Scotland all Rx are now free. It's not too late to move.

But I thought that if you are diagnosed with something specific, in my case an autoimmune thyroid disease, then you're still exempt from prescription charges?

have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)

No, it depends on what the condition is. Thyroid is a condition that is exempt so DW gets all her prescriptions free, however other conditions don't necessarily qualify - i.e. a co-worker who is on meds following a heart attack.

As to the OP, I don't know if you would be exempt but if you aren't and you need quite a number of prescriptions you can get a pre-pay card that will save you money.