Prescription Costs

Hi,
I'm a bit confused about the cost of prescriptions on NHS. In the US you pay a co-pay for prescriptions with your insurance. How does it work here? I have a prescription from my doctor in the US and it's my understanding that I can go to the NHS walk-in clinic to register and give them copies of my prescription. If there's something else I need to do I'd appreciate any insight.

Thanks,
Kim

My understanding is that NHS prescriptions are a flat rate, something like £6.50 per item no matter what the drug is.

Even name brands (there's no generic for this drug)?? That would be fantastic! 

I think in England it's £6-something, but in Wales we pay £3 per item. Regarding your prescriptions, you'll have to go to your local surgery to find out what the UK equivalent of your meds are. They may be the same brand name as in the US, but perhaps will be known as something different over here. Rather than bringing your US prescription, I think you'd be better off bring the actual packaging from your meds -- that way your UK GP can look at the ingredients, look it up in his book and find you the equivalent.

(If you're receiving benefits in the UK, I think prescriptions are free, but I don't actually know how that works.)

Even name brands (there's no generic for this drug)?? That would be fantastic! 

Yup!

Great! Thanks for the help everyone!

if you need reoccuring rx... it may be worthwile getting a pre-paid rx card (by paying upfront for a certain amount of rx you get a discount)  http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc_intro.htm

if you have certain medical conditions- you may be exempt from rx charges all together.  your doctor will fill out the form for you. for more info see here:  http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/medex.htm

i would second the idea of bringing the leaflet from your rx.  it shows the active ingredients which is the important bit.  go and register at your local GP surgery (doctor's office) and at your initial appointment bring this info... they'll give you the RX which you can then take to any pharmacy.  or you can use an online surgery (I use boots.com b/c one of my rx is never in stock at any pharmacy).

As a side note, if your prescrition is for birth control pills, they are completely free and depending on your local surgery will dispense 3-12 months at a time.(fantastic benefit)

Oh and you have to be here legally to have access to NHS, but I'm assuming you are coming as a spouse or with a work permit so you should have access.

Best wishes!

go free bc!!! my surgery will only dispsense 6 months at a time.  my thyroid medication they will only dispense at 2 months at a time.  when i questioned this- they said that the trust gets paid PER rx they write, hence they want to write more.

As a side note, if your prescrition is for birth control pills, they are completely free and depending on your local surgery will dispense 3-12 months at a time.(fantastic benefit)

Forgot to mention that! I loooooove getting free b/c!

you can also get FREE condoms on prescription

you can also get FREE condoms on prescription

I never knew that!

Yes, because all birth control is free.

really?? i knew that you could get them by the handfull at family planning clinicis & gum clinics... good to know.

Okay, so I just went to attempt to have my prescription filled for the first time, and he told me he didn't think that, on a student visa, I was eligible to receive a prescription under the NHS (i.e. not at 20 quid for 10 pills!). It was my understanding that on a student visa I WAS eligible for this. Can anyone clear this up?? I'm very frustrated. 

He said they would call the PCT and get back to me. Haven't heard a word yet.