Free NHS prescriptions: Information for people affected by cancer

To qualify for the exemption certificate, your GP, hospital doctor or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) will have to certify that you are undergoing treatment for one of the following:

• diagnosed cancer
• the effects of cancer
• the effects of cancer treatment.

You don’t need to apply for an exemption certificate if you:

• are 60 or over
• are under 16
• are 16 to 18 and in full-time education
• already have a valid NHS prescription exemption certificate.

Visit the NHS website for more information.

Simply pick up an FP92A form from the pharmacy or the Macmillan Support and Information Service, both located on the ground floor of the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre. Or you can collect the form from your GP surgery.

Complete the form and ask your hospital doctor, CNS or your GP to sign it. You will then need to post the completed and signed form to the NHS Business Services Authority using the prepaid envelope provided. They will send your exemption certificate within 10 working days.

If you are receiving medicines from the Cancer Centre pharmacy, the staff should be able to check your hospital records to confirm that you qualify for free prescriptions. If they are unable to confirm this, you may be asked to pay.

If this happens, ask for a receipt so that you can claim the money back once you have your certificate. Please note that you can only obtain the receipt at the time you pay. The pharmacy will not be able to provide one at a later time.

If you visit a community pharmacy, it is likely that you will have to pay for your prescriptions until you receive your exemption certificate. Keep your receipts and follow the instructions on the FP92A form to claim your money back.

Once you have your certificate, you will need to show it as proof of exemption each time your prescription is dispensed. The certificate will cover all prescriptions and will be valid for five years. After that time, you can apply for a new certificate following the same steps.

For more information about free prescriptions, or if you need support or advice about cancer or the impact of treatment, contact the Macmillan Support and Information Service:

Telephone: 020 3447 8663
Email: uclh.supportandinformation@nhs.net
Twitter: @supportandinfo
Website: uclh.nhs.uk/msis