NHS & Contact lens solutions

[jayuk]

Hmm do those in the UK feel that this seems to be something thats at local "discretion"...and maybe they are unaware we are entitles to the solution?

[GarethB]

Jay,

My understanding from where this subject has been raised before is that it is a post code lottery.

[Andrew MacLean]

It is a post code lottery biased by the fact that there are three (possibly four) jurisdictions in the UK, so that different conditions apply in each.

Health is a devolved funtion in Scotland.

Northern Ireland has a different set of rules.

I am not sure whether Wales is still coverend by the same Department of Health as England.

It all goes to make for a confused situation, that becomes more confising as time goes by. From our point o view in Scotland, a letter from our Ophthalmologist to our GP can release lens fluids on prescription. The point is, as Emma said, it can be cheaper to buy them "over the counter".

Andrew

[Anne Klepacz]

Unfortunately in England (and Wales?) GPs can't prescribe solutions and I'm not aware there's any arrangement which would enable them to do so if they had a letter from the ophthalmologist. But that's exactly what Marian is trying to achieve, so thank you very much Andrew for the information that it's already possible in Scotland - I'll pass that on to Marian so that maybe England can be shamed into providing the same level of service! We'll let you know what happens.
Anne

[Sweet]

I believe that Wales has the same dept of health as England. I think though that solutions are cheaper bought yourself than on prescription?

Sweet X x X

[Andrew MacLean]

Claire

In my experience that is the case, but it may be critical for people who do not pay for their prescribed medicines that they should be able to obtain solutions on script (ie free) rather than over the counter.

Andrew

[GarethB]

On a month by month cases that may be so for some.

If I get a single box of 3 months solutions cost is £25 that box counts as one (contains 3 cleaners and 3 wetting/conditioning) item on prescriptions which makes about £7.

Month supply saline is £20, on prescription this counts as one item £7.

Systane is £5 per bottle, but a months supply would be £15 again counts as 1 item £7

Protein removing tablets lasts 3 months £5 so cheaper to just pay for it.

On the NHS I could spend £26 for my lens and eye care. Pay over the counter I am looking at £45.

Net saving of £19 which I would rather be able to invest in a good cause.

Depending on how the local health authority works, it is possible to get a years supply for £26. This happens for patients on IVF through the NHS and the rules are unchanged since 1998 when my wife and I went through the IVF process. Privatly the medication was £2000, to get the medication on a monthly bases would have set us back about £400 over the course of a single IVF treatment. The hospital prescribed the whole course of drugs in one hit which set us back £20.

There are clear benefits and savings to be had getting these on prescription.