General Chat

I really don't know why insulin and thyroxin dependant patients are entitled to free prescriptions.
Both are hormones rather than drugs and perhaps providing free scripts to these patients should be an outdated practice.

I dont want to come across as nasty or judgemental, but type1 and type2 diabetes have entirely different root causes and are controlled differently.
Naming both conditions "Diabetes" ...causes the confusion.

Type1 is auto-immune and is not caused by lifestyle or diet.
It cannot be prevented and there is no cure

Must be different in BC than here in Ontario, Sylvia. Prescriptions are free for all seniors but if your income is over a certain amount you have to pay the first $100 each year. I have many prescriptions because of heart disease and diabetes but I only pay $100 per year.

Thank you all for your contributions. I asked the question because I remembered my step-sister had a blue badge because she was diabetic and a friend, also a diabetic, always got all prescriptions free prior to his being 60. Seems some do and some don't.

You can also get free prescriptions if you cannot get out of the house by yourself.... Not sure why that would be

Well I didn't know that Jax so I googled :-D

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/prescription-chargeshealth-benefits

supercrutch - thanks, have put that address on favourites so I can check it at any time

I know because I get it :-D

Only have one prescription every two months so not milking the system

Useful to know Jax, may help others :-D

I have 7 drugs on repeat plus 2 lots of medical equipment, I'm so glad I didn't have to pay ;-)

Margee ..................


obviously very different!

It is all income related here .........

........ you have to provide all your income details to Pharmacare when you first become eligible for pension at 65.

They then decide the deductible, accessing your last year's tax record each year to make any necessary adjustment ................. and it seems that you have to be on really low pension income to get the lowest deductible

It is then supposed to kick in automatically at the pharmacist when you reach that amount

We have friends who only get OAS and CPP to an amount of around $23,000 a year ............... and although the deductible kicks in for them, they don't get their prescriptions completely free until it reaches a real high annual cost. I think they get about 75% of the cost paid initially.



Let's say, we have never apparently approached spending the amount of deductible they allot to us as a couple :-(

I have hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes - the hypothyroidism preceded the type 2 diabetes. I put on lots of weight that I was unable to lose because of untreated hypothyroidism (an autoimmune condition) and consequently developed type 2 diabetes.
I am now on Thyroxin and get my prescriptions free. I control my diabetes by diet and lifestyle. I do not have a blue badge.