Got a reply to my email:
'Thank you for your email.
I've not been able to find a Medical Exemption (MEDEX) Certificate for you.
We're unable to advise you whether or not your
medical condition entitles you to a certificate.You'll need to speak with your GP or consultant and
complete an application form if you are entitled.
Your record is locked until the 25th March 2018. If you apply and have a MEDEX put in place and
pay the prescription charges of £34.40 for the items you collected, we'll remove the penalty. As you didn't hold a valid MEDEX when your prescription was collected we're unable to remove the prescription charge.
If you have any queries regarding the Prescription Exemption Checking Service you can visit our 'Ask Us' page at
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
If you require any further assistance please contact us by email or telephone us on 0300 330 9291.
Yours sincerely,'
I have responded:
"Hello and thank you for your swift response. I have been to my surgery this morning and filled out the application for my medical exemption certificate. My gp will send this to you tomorrow.
I have checked to make sure that my medical condition does indeed make me eligible for the exemption, and being diabetic controlled by insulin (ie not diet alone) I do have an eligible condition. This is consistent with what I was told on diagnosis back in 1994.
Interestingly, whilst on the NHS site checking this, it seems that even the NHS are not aware of the need for a medical exemption certificate. See this link:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/living-with/
Under the section headed 'Financial support and benefits' it says medically controlled diabetics are entitled to free prescriptions, with not a mention of the exemption certificate. This is consistent with my experience and this penalty charge is the first I have heard of needing the certificate.
I welcome your offer to remove the charge, but I am agreived by your request to pay for the prescription, especially when the NHS themselves don't advise us we need to have such a certificate. Please consider removing all charges on these grounds.
I look forward to your response"
Lets see what happens.....