NHS cutting back on prescriptions?
Discussion
Evanivitch said:
Brilliant answer, we should go back to the 1980s or people should make all their own gluten free products.
You realise these are people, in many cases children, trying to live a normal life?
It's not a case of must have them, it's a question of quality of life, and yes, telling a kid he can have pizza like all his friends or that you don't have to live off rice and potatoes is quite a big part of that.
The kid can have pizza. Better than that he can get involved in making it from scratch - what's not to like?You realise these are people, in many cases children, trying to live a normal life?
It's not a case of must have them, it's a question of quality of life, and yes, telling a kid he can have pizza like all his friends or that you don't have to live off rice and potatoes is quite a big part of that.
Evanivitch said:
...it's a question of quality of life, and yes, telling a kid he can have pizza like all his friends or that you don't have to live off rice and potatoes is quite a big part of that.
He's not like all his friends though (unless they all have the same condition). And understanding and accepting that is not a bad thing. His ailment is manageable and with personal control readily so. There is no need for him to be dependent on the state and to get into a frame of mind where that is a default choice.The same goes for many conditions.
Flip Martian said:
Its bonkers. Until I saw this report I had no idea you could get GF food on prescription.
As an asthmatic I take 2 different inhalers and have to pay for them; they're not free on the NHS. Without them, ultimately I'd be dead. But some woman who can't tolerate gluten gets her bread and cake (etc) for free.
So not only am I paying for my own life saving drugs, I'm paying for her food.
Where on earth is that sensible?! FFS. I don't mind paying my prescription season ticket fee but I do actually think life saving meds or those for chronic conditions have a case to be made available free. GF food is just nonsensical. Go and buy it.
As an asthmatic, prescribed two inhalers (Bricanyl and Symbicort turbohalers), you are right, they are not free on the NHS. I buy an annual PPC. That said, whilst not free, have you looked at the cost to buy them yourself. The two I have are £20 and £55 respectively. So yes, not free, but massively subsidised. So, even though I do contribute, I am only paying a fraction for my life saving drugs. I am not arguing for prescription (free or otherwise) GF foods, I might add.As an asthmatic I take 2 different inhalers and have to pay for them; they're not free on the NHS. Without them, ultimately I'd be dead. But some woman who can't tolerate gluten gets her bread and cake (etc) for free.
So not only am I paying for my own life saving drugs, I'm paying for her food.
Where on earth is that sensible?! FFS. I don't mind paying my prescription season ticket fee but I do actually think life saving meds or those for chronic conditions have a case to be made available free. GF food is just nonsensical. Go and buy it.
Evanivitch said:
You're an idiot.
That loaf is 375g, half the size of a standard loaf. It's also twice the price of the cheapest loaf.
Hence it is easily 4 times more expensive.
I'm really not an idiot, but I'll indulge you in a response anyway. That loaf is 375g, half the size of a standard loaf. It's also twice the price of the cheapest loaf.
Hence it is easily 4 times more expensive.
You said:
And incredibly difficult when you have a child that wants to eat "normal" food, not to mention that we eat a lot of gluten foods because they are incredibly convenient. You're also dramatically cutting down on the carb options for a child, effectively reducing them to rice and potatoes.
I think for adults it is reasonable to expect them to cover the choice of buying gluten free alternatives, but the free provision should remain for minors.
You made it sound like it was difficult to feed a child that requires a gluten free diet without the prescription and my point is that it really isn't - you just pop to Tescos and pick up a load of (gluten free) bread or a pack of (gluten free) pasta. ie you can buy off the shelf what you need and avoid what will make you ill, just the same as everybody else does. So why should the taxpayer fund your grocery shop?I think for adults it is reasonable to expect them to cover the choice of buying gluten free alternatives, but the free provision should remain for minors.
If your argument is that gluten free is expensive, then surely making everyone pay for it themselves will introduce competition and bring down the costs for all? And this isn't an argument in my opinion when you consider that a lot of people have special dietary requirements which are not covered by the taxpayer.
Hoofy said:
Pieman68 said:
I'm afraid there is an issue with many in public organisations as it's not their money, and this is something that has to change!
EFA. Real bugbear of mine. If it were their own (small) business, they wouldn't be spaffing money like the world is ending tomorrow.bradders said:
As an asthmatic, prescribed two inhalers (Bricanyl and Symbicort turbohalers), you are right, they are not free on the NHS. I buy an annual PPC. That said, whilst not free, have you looked at the cost to buy them yourself. The two I have are £20 and £55 respectively. So yes, not free, but massively subsidised. So, even though I do contribute, I am only paying a fraction for my life saving drugs. I am not arguing for prescription (free or otherwise) GF foods, I might add.
I wonder, though, would your inhaler's be £20 and £55 respectively if they were not subsidised. I suspect the price would come right down if they were not, as market forces would dictate the true price.I think there should be an alternative option for people who need paracetamol or similar. My elderly dad has paracetamol on prescription, he takes it four times each day. The prescription gives him a months supply, he'd have no problem with buying this himself, but the barrier is that shops now only allow purchase in tiny quantities. Some kind of permit to buy paracetamol in a larger quantity would solve this.
Flip Martian said:
Its bonkers. Until I saw this report I had no idea you could get GF food on prescription.
As an asthmatic I take 2 different inhalers and have to pay for them; they're not free on the NHS. Without them, ultimately I'd be dead. But some woman who can't tolerate gluten gets her bread and cake (etc) for free.
So not only am I paying for my own life saving drugs, I'm paying for her food.
Where on earth is that sensible?! FFS. I don't mind paying my prescription season ticket fee but I do actually think life saving meds or those for chronic conditions have a case to be made available free. GF food is just nonsensical. Go and buy it.
I think you have to be a registered Celiac and not just intolerant.As an asthmatic I take 2 different inhalers and have to pay for them; they're not free on the NHS. Without them, ultimately I'd be dead. But some woman who can't tolerate gluten gets her bread and cake (etc) for free.
So not only am I paying for my own life saving drugs, I'm paying for her food.
Where on earth is that sensible?! FFS. I don't mind paying my prescription season ticket fee but I do actually think life saving meds or those for chronic conditions have a case to be made available free. GF food is just nonsensical. Go and buy it.
I have a friend who gets GF food on prescription due to her kids being Celiac. If they have any thing that had come into contact with Gluten they start throwing up and their stomach effectively shuts down. Both are spindly little kids, they'd also be dead without GF food.
Not saying I agree with it, but it's a very different situation from Kylie driving her Evoque on the latest fashionable diet.
wiggy001 said:
Evanivitch said:
You're an idiot.
That loaf is 375g, half the size of a standard loaf. It's also twice the price of the cheapest loaf.
Hence it is easily 4 times more expensive.
I'm really not an idiot, but I'll indulge you in a response anyway. That loaf is 375g, half the size of a standard loaf. It's also twice the price of the cheapest loaf.
Hence it is easily 4 times more expensive.
You said:
And incredibly difficult when you have a child that wants to eat "normal" food, not to mention that we eat a lot of gluten foods because they are incredibly convenient. You're also dramatically cutting down on the carb options for a child, effectively reducing them to rice and potatoes.
I think for adults it is reasonable to expect them to cover the choice of buying gluten free alternatives, but the free provision should remain for minors.
You made it sound like it was difficult to feed a child that requires a gluten free diet without the prescription and my point is that it really isn't - you just pop to Tescos and pick up a load of (gluten free) bread or a pack of (gluten free) pasta. ie you can buy off the shelf what you need and avoid what will make you ill, just the same as everybody else does. So why should the taxpayer fund your grocery shop?I think for adults it is reasonable to expect them to cover the choice of buying gluten free alternatives, but the free provision should remain for minors.
If your argument is that gluten free is expensive, then surely making everyone pay for it themselves will introduce competition and bring down the costs for all? And this isn't an argument in my opinion when you consider that a lot of people have special dietary requirements which are not covered by the taxpayer.
Also, you're ignorance in believing that Coeliacs Disease is just another dietary requirement further proves your ignorance. This isn't the same as the hipsters that believe a bit of gluten causes them to be bloated and groggy. This is a genuine illness that can completely wreck someone's week because they mistakenly ate some gluten.
Evanivitch said:
You're still relying on the argument that everyone has easy access to a Tesco. It's just not the case.
Also, you're ignorance in believing that Coeliacs Disease is just another dietary requirement further proves your ignorance. This isn't the same as the hipsters that believe a bit of gluten causes them to be bloated and groggy. This is a genuine illness that can completely wreck someone's week because they mistakenly ate some gluten.
So a tax payer funded prescription is the best way to avoid people with the illness eating gluten unfree food stuffs? Really? Also, you're ignorance in believing that Coeliacs Disease is just another dietary requirement further proves your ignorance. This isn't the same as the hipsters that believe a bit of gluten causes them to be bloated and groggy. This is a genuine illness that can completely wreck someone's week because they mistakenly ate some gluten.
30yrs ago you may have had a point. I have more trouble finding stuff that isn't "free from" in the shops these days. As for people not having access to Tescos (or equivalents)... Again, really? They have ready access to a dispensary but not a supermarket/shop? Does the dispensary provide their clothing, wash powder, beans (are they gluten free?) etc? Who gets them to work/school?
Sorry, but if people cannot feed themselves properly in light of specific dietary requirements in this day and age, I do wonder how they cope with anything in life. Maybe they aren't and that is why our govt expenditure is so high.
The nanny state has achieved its objective. We cannot be weaned.
The only government funding I'd be up for applying to this sort of thing is why we seem to have an increase in instances of such illnesses. What are we doing to cause that. It's allegedly increased 4 fold in 20yrs...why?
Evanivitch said:
You're still relying on the argument that everyone has easy access to a Tesco. It's just not the case.
Really? There are people in the uk with no access to a major supermarket, or home delivery from one? Evanivitch said:
Also, you're ignorance in believing that Coeliacs Disease is just another dietary requirement further proves your ignorance. This isn't the same as the hipsters that believe a bit of gluten causes them to be bloated and groggy. This is a genuine illness that can completely wreck someone's week because they mistakenly ate some gluten.
Again, I'm really not ignorant. There are celiacs in my family so I know all about the disease thanks. It still doesn't change the fact that there is very little need for some products to be provided by the taxpayer via prescriptions. GF food is one of those items.
wiggy001 said:
Really? There are people in the uk with no access to a major supermarket, or home delivery from one?
Obviously they will have to adjust to the new system but this takes medical supervision away from people, some of who aren't exactly capable of looking after themselves.
WestyCarl said:
Both are spindly little kids, they'd also be dead without GF food.
Aren't you being just as tad over dramatic there. If GF food stopped being prescribed - it doesn't mean it's not still available by other means (unlike a prescription only drugs)Also - most common food is gluten free (fruit, veg, legumes, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, milk, cream, rice, chickpeas etc).
The "gluten free" or "free from" branded stuff available on prescription or in supermarkets are mostly just analogues of food stuffs that normally contain gluten (bread, cereals, pasta etc) - all stuff a person can live without.
Of course many processed foods do contain gluten or are at risk of being cross contaminated with it - but with food labelling the way it is these days, it's pretty easy to spot and avoid. If in doubt stick to the whole foods listed above.
I don't for one second believe anybody in the UK is at risk of dying if GF food was withdrawn from prescription.
Moonhawk said:
Aren't you being just as tad over dramatic there. If GF food stopped being prescribed - it doesn't mean it's not still available by other means (unlike a prescription only drugs)
Also - most common food is gluten free (fruit, veg, legumes, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, milk, cream, rice, chickpeas etc).
The "gluten free" or "free from" branded stuff available on prescription or in supermarkets are mostly just analogues of food stuffs that normally contain gluten (bread, cereals, pasta etc) - all stuff a person can live without.
Of course many processed foods do contain gluten or are at risk of being cross contaminated with it - but with food labelling the way it is these days, it's pretty easy to spot and avoid. If in doubt stick to the whole foods listed above.
I don't for one second believe anybody in the UK is at risk of dying if GF food was withdrawn from prescription.
I didn't mean on prescription. It was a response to someone saying they'd be dead without asthma drugs, "proper" celiacs would also be dead without GF food, I was making the point Celiac is a condition and not just a fad. Part of me believes it shouldn't be available on prescription.Also - most common food is gluten free (fruit, veg, legumes, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, milk, cream, rice, chickpeas etc).
The "gluten free" or "free from" branded stuff available on prescription or in supermarkets are mostly just analogues of food stuffs that normally contain gluten (bread, cereals, pasta etc) - all stuff a person can live without.
Of course many processed foods do contain gluten or are at risk of being cross contaminated with it - but with food labelling the way it is these days, it's pretty easy to spot and avoid. If in doubt stick to the whole foods listed above.
I don't for one second believe anybody in the UK is at risk of dying if GF food was withdrawn from prescription.
essayer said:
alock said:
Tesco paracetamol 30p. 4 times that is £1.20. Current prescription is £8.40.
Does that mean the NHS are making £7.20 profit on each paid prescription of paracetamol or is someone just making up numbers?
https://www.evidence.nhs.uk/formulary/bnf/current/4-central-nervous-system/47-analgesics/471-non-opioid-analgesics-and-compound-analgesic-preparations/paracetamol/paracetamolDoes that mean the NHS are making £7.20 profit on each paid prescription of paracetamol or is someone just making up numbers?
"Paracetamol 500 mg, net price 32-cap pack = £1.27, 100-cap pack = £3.97"
Who gets the the difference between £8.40 and £1.27 ?
I am not saying that a lot of stuff shouldn't be bought. However try and suggest this and it is like asking them to strip naked in public. I know because I have tried it!
s3fella said:
Hoofy said:
Pieman68 said:
I'm afraid there is an issue with many in public organisations as it's not their money, and this is something that has to change!
EFA. Real bugbear of mine. If it were their own (small) business, they wouldn't be spaffing money like the world is ending tomorrow.
stuartmmcfc said:
My carer was telling me last night that there are a number of old people on her "round" who don't leave the house and who don't use the internet and so relie on Chemist home delivery for access to all sort of things. that "normal" people can get easily.
Obviously they will have to adjust to the new system but this takes medical supervision away from people, some of who aren't exactly capable of looking after themselves.
Winner of the world's flimsiest excuse. Obviously they will have to adjust to the new system but this takes medical supervision away from people, some of who aren't exactly capable of looking after themselves.
Where do they get all their non-prescription goods from? And how many homes in this country are in reach of a delivery chemist but not a delivery supermarket. I'm going to hazard a guess at very, very near zero.
The same sort of flannel gets brought out when any attempt is made to reduce the provision of the teat. Blair's government did a perfect job of getting even those who can help themselves hooked on govt support. It's pitiful.
Murph7355 said:
Winner of the world's flimsiest excuse.
Where do they get all their non-prescription goods from? And how many homes in this country are in reach of a delivery chemist but not a delivery supermarket. I'm going to hazard a guess at very, very near zero.
The same sort of flannel gets brought out when any attempt is made to reduce the provision of the teat. Blair's government did a perfect job of getting even those who can help themselves hooked on govt support. It's pitiful.
Winner of the worlds worst post reading and understanding.Where do they get all their non-prescription goods from? And how many homes in this country are in reach of a delivery chemist but not a delivery supermarket. I'm going to hazard a guess at very, very near zero.
The same sort of flannel gets brought out when any attempt is made to reduce the provision of the teat. Blair's government did a perfect job of getting even those who can help themselves hooked on govt support. It's pitiful.
If they don't use the internet, then it doesnt matter if the supermarket is next door, they can't order using that system.
Obviouusly a friend or carer goes to do the shopping for them. They aren't medically trained to supervise/oversee the use of drugs like paracetamol though. And if they forget to buy them them or start increasing the use or no longer need to take them?
These are people who really require support to live independently
stuartmmcfc said:
Winner of the worlds worst post reading and understanding.
If they don't use the internet, then it doesnt matter if the supermarket is next door, they can't order using that system.
Obviouusly a friend or carer goes to do the shopping for them. They aren't medically trained to supervise/oversee the use of drugs like paracetamol though. And if they forget to buy them them or start increasing the use or no longer need to take them?
These are people who really require support to live independently
Keep digging. Will be back later. Am just off to find someone to administer some paracetamol. If they don't use the internet, then it doesnt matter if the supermarket is next door, they can't order using that system.
Obviouusly a friend or carer goes to do the shopping for them. They aren't medically trained to supervise/oversee the use of drugs like paracetamol though. And if they forget to buy them them or start increasing the use or no longer need to take them?
These are people who really require support to live independently
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