A third still don’t take up free prescriptions

One in three cancer sufferers are needlessly paying for prescriptions, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The shock revelation comes two years after the charity successfully campaigned for cancer patients to gain exemption from charges.

But figures from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2010 show that one third of those receiving treatment for cancer were not told they were eligible for free prescriptions for medication relating to their illness, its treatments and effects of treatment.

Macmillan says that many cancer patients are still not aware of the help available, and are cutting back on essential items such as food or heating just to pay for their prescriptions.

To claim free prescriptions, patients must apply for an exemption certificate by collecting application form FP92A from their GP surgery or oncology clinic and get it countersigned by their GP or oncologist.

Exemption certificates last for five years and can save patients hundreds of pounds.

More information about the scheme is available from www.macmillan.org. uk/prescriptions.