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NHS fine

J

Juleshb

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I have a question about NHS prescription fines. I have had gestational diabetes in the past, several years ago, and am still taking metformin as the consultant said I had glucose intolerance/prediabetes and a strong family history of diabetes so should take metformin to prevent the full diabetes. I have been taking metformin for 11 years now. I have always paid for prescriptions and usually get a prescription prepayment certificate. However, in April this year they stopped sending out the cards and I didn’t realise mine expired the previous month. I got a prescription and now have been fined £108. Should I be entitled to free prescriptions anyway since I am taking metformin for prevention of full diabetes? I don’t have a certificate for exemption as I’m not sure if I qualify for one. Thank you!
 
Hello, https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-certificates/medical-exemption-certificates
There is a link I provided, it shows a category to show who is entitled to medical exemption. GP surgery have forms for you to fill out. I'm not sure if that will apply for your situation. I heard prediabetes can be controlled with diet to reduce your hba1c level, so I'm a bit confused as to why you're metformin. However you can also buy the certificate online again, https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/prescription-prepayment-certificates-ppcs
I cannot comment on your fine though. I hope someone comes along to give their input on it.
 
We have been caught out by this in the past. I rang them and I only had to pay the actual prescription charges or I paid for 3 month one back dates but I can't remember as it was a while ago.

However, we were caught out with husband's again last month so I'm planning on doing the same. We used to get a letter saying that it was running out but not even an email this time. I screen shot the original details but that gets hidden in amongst all the other photos.
 
I suspect that you should have been having free prescriptions anyway - perhaps consult your doctor to see if you can find out if this is so.
There have been cases where people entitled to free prescriptions were fined through various errors and they were able to have the fine set aside - but if you are not entitled then I suspect that the fine can't be avoided.
 
Thanks so much, I just don’t know if having had gestational diabetes 4 times and being on insulin then but now on metformin alone means I am entitled to the exemption. I don’t really want to do a glucose tolerance test again or hba1c as would have to stop metformin which would really mess things up as takes a while to get used to it. I haven’t officially been told I have diabetes but there is definitely a predisposition as have glucose intolerance and a strong family history of diabetes.
 
Without an actual diagnosis I suspect you're not likely entitled to free prescriptions.
 
Antje77 said:
It isn't necessary to stop metformin for those tests.
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Agreed. And while I can sympathise with anyone wishing to avoid a glucose tolerance test, an hba1c just requires a quick blood draw....
 
Antje77 said:
Is your hba1c or blood glucose never been tested since your pregnancies?
It isn't necessary to stop metformin for those tests.
Click to expand...
Thanks yes I did have hba1c done and I think it was normal but that is because I was on 2g of metformin a day.
 
Juleshb said:
Thanks yes I did have hba1c done and I think it was normal but that is because I was on 2g of metformin a day.
Click to expand...
To be honest metformin doesn't really do much to lower bloodsugars anyway
 
Rokaab said:
To be honest metformin doesn't really do much to lower bloodsugars anyway
Click to expand...
It definitely lowers mine, I am slim, quite active and often feel dizzy if I don’t eat for a while
 
I think you should ask your doctor to explain why you take metformin. My friend had it as she had polycystic ovary syndrome. If you were pre diabetic you would be told to monitor your diet. If you are prescribed metformin I relation to diabetes I would say it should be free - I would push your doctor to tell you why it is prescribed and if it is diabetes related then they can give you the relevant medical exemption certificate.
 
Thanks, yes, I also have polycystic ovaries and it does help with that but also with the glucose balance. It wasn’t really the gp that said to take it, I think the hospital and the gp just carried on prescribing it to help reduce the full diabetes.
 
Just read a couple of articles about Metformin. It is prescribed for T2 but also for PCOS in it's own right. (forgive me for obvious comment - I'm still teaching myself all about this stuff)

My GP said I was now entitled to free prescriptions because I was table controlled T2. So it is really important to ask why you have it. We have a very useful email system at our surgery - so you might not even have to go in.
 
Makes sense to me given your gestational diabetes and PCOS which are both symptoms of insulin resistance syndrome. The metformin inhibits the release of glucose from the liver but it does not tackle underlying insulin resistance which can only really be done by diet (reducing your intake of carbohydrates and replacing them with more fat and protein). Just because you're slim and active it doesn't mean that you are not going to get type 2 unfortunately so its worth keeping an eye on things with an HBA1c test every now and then because then you are less likely to incur health and insurance problems caused by not being diagnosed and getting complications, speaking as someone who can't get life insurance as a type 1 who has had complications!
 
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