Prescription query

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Hi Everyone,

I got diagnosed with BC last month. Today I have received my prescription exception card. My breast nurse seemed to think I was entitled to free prescriptions for life? But my sister who had thyroid cancer when she was my age said it was only for 5 years? She now gets lifetime free prescriptions due to having no thyroid. My card only has 5 years. My query is if its just for 5 years... I'm not going to start Tamoxifen until the end of my treatment plan which will be a few months away and then be on that for 5 or 10 years. So by the time I start it after my surgery, chemo, radiotherapy, etc it might be 6 months off which will take me over the 5 years. Am I allowed to apply for another card or do I then have to start paying? If I'm on Tamoxifen for 10 years am I OK to apply for another card to cover for the additional 5 years?

Many thanks,

Jenny

F1 petrolhead over 2 years ago

Mine is 7 years and I was assuming I could reapply after that

Jennyk over 2 years ago in reply to F1 petrolhead

Thanks so much for clarifying

TEENY1978 over 2 years ago

Mine is for 5 years, I would check with the breast care team they should be able to advise x

Jennyk over 2 years ago in reply to TEENY1978

Will do. Thank you.

LalaLou over 2 years ago

Hi @Jennyk I also got a NHS Medical Exemption card for 5 years and queried this, as I have to take Letrozole for 10 years, but apparently it's standard for the Medical Exemption card to be issued for 5 years. You should receive a reminder about a month before it is due to expire and it's then a case of asking your GP for the relevant application form and applying for a renewal, when you will be sent a new card. Bear in mind though that prescriptions are free when you reach 60, and as my card runs out after my 60th birthday I won't need to renew it. Details are in the link below, hope this helps.

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/.../medical-exemption-certificates

Jennyk over 2 years ago in reply to LalaLou

Thanks so much , I'm 36 now so I think if I need the max 10 years of Tamoxifen it would take me upto 46. Then 46-60 would pay, but then free after 60. That makes sense now, thanks so much

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