Prescription length

[bamberger]

I have recently been diagnosed with a condition that requires me to take a tablet a day. The Doctor will only give me one months supply at a time, citing "Patients who receive more than a month's prescription are at an unfair advantage over those whom it deems eligible to pay.".
Is this standard throughout England and do I have any appeal rights beyond the Practice?
A prepaid season ticket is more expensive that 12 X £7.40. Of course in Scotland, Wales and NI it is all "free" regardless of income. Free meaning that England is subsidising them .
Thanks

[maclarencat]

You seem to feel very aggrieved about the Welsh Scottish and Irish perhaps you should move? Then you could have free prescriptions. They let the English have free prescriptions as long as they live in Wales Scotland or Ireland

[ethandron]

most 'monthly' medications are given for 28 days rather than a calendar month. if you work it out, you actually need 13 prescriptions over a 12 month period, making a grand total of £96.20. an annual pre paid prescription thing costs £98.70 so it's costing you only £2.50 extra. if you need only one different prescription over the course of the year, say for antibiotics or something, then you are immediately better off (assuming i've done the maths right).
my doctor gives me 3 months (or rather 3 lots of 28 days) of the three medications i regularly take. i put a prescription request in yesterday, tomorrow i will pick up one prescription from the surgery with 3 months worth printed on it, take it to the pharmacy and come home with 3 months of meds. no problem.

[bednobs]

PPC's are £104 now :)

[ethandron]

oh sugar, i just knew i'd get something wrong. have to re-do all my calculations...or not :)