Had a chat with a relative a couple of days ago, and a reply from CW reminded me.

If you are Diabetic - and that's type one or type two, you are entitled to a permanent medical exception certificate.
It's not a certificate you receive - it's a plastic white card. You have to tick the appropriate box on the prescription
and present the card if you or anyone else collects your prescriptions.

This will entitle you to free prescriptions.

To clear up some common misunderstandings, its PERMANENT. It covers ANY medication you might take, not just diabetic.

All you need to do is ask your diabetic nurse, practise nurse, or GP - and in small GP practices, often the receptionist, for a diabetic exemption form.
Fill it in, and hand it back to the receptionist.

You'll notice when you get your little plastic card, that it has an expire date. I believe it has to be renewed every 5 years. If I remember correctly, (five years is a long time ago !) a reminder letter and re-application form is sent one month before the card is due to expire.

If you don't receive a letter, ring 0845 6018076.

UPDATE

From 1st April 2009, the list of conditions for giving entitlement to free National Health Service Prescriptions is extended to people who are undergoing treatment for :-

(i) Cancer
(ii) The effects of cancer
(iii) The effects of cancer treatment

And about time too!

If you've previously had an exemption certificate, or applied for an exemption certificate because of any of the above conditions, you cannot use the certificate until 1st April 2009. The law changes to add cancer patients from 1st April 2009 permit the Business Service Authority, (formally the Prescription Pricing Authority) to issue cards prior to 1st April 2009.

If you currently hold a Prescription Prepayment certificate, you may be entitled to a refund if there is more than one month remaing.

Now all we need is free hospital parking everywhere.....

Q&A

(i) Does the exemption card allows you to have free eye tests or chiropodist appointments?

No. The card won't. Here in the Uk diabetics, whether you're type one or type two, will be asked to go for a thorough Eye Examination and Podiatry (feet) examination, and treatment, if required, at least once a year.

This is because diabetics are at a higher risk than most people to problems in those areas. These are 'special' diabetic appointments that are free of charge. But they're free because you are diabetic, not because of the exemption certificate.

Where you have these examinations seems to vary. I've had podiatry examinations at a specialist centre, eye tests at a local opticians, and all other diabetic care at my GP's, and I'm a stroke survivor. A friend who lives 10 minutes from me, with the same GP, has all of his diabetic care at a local hospital (shrug)

(ii) Do diabetics get free or reduced price spectacles (glasses) because they hold an exemption certificate?

No. But often diabetics may find that they are on other uk health, invalidity or employment benefits because of health complications arising from diabetes. These benefits may entitle you to reduced price or free glasses.

the certificate has always been extended to cancer sufferers as my friends partner is currently going through cancer and has been in the battle for the last 18 months and has always had a certificate of exemption since she was diagnosed. i feel however i should point out it is not extended to all people who have cronic/perminant illness as sufferers of asthma and heart problems do not get a prescription exemption certificate.

Cheers, and hiya Mike :) I pulled the bit about cancer from an insert in my reapplication-for-certificate letter.

I'm glad you've reminded me tho' - I've a couple of mates who have cancer, who were refused last year, and I
need to ask if they've tried again. It's one of those conditions that requires frequent extended hospital visits,
and, for instance, around here, that means expensive car parking charges at the hospital. Every little helps.

You know, I have never received my excemption card and never been asked for it - I just tick the box and thats that.

I guess they know that a prescription for diabetes meds is never given to a non-diabetic, so don't bother.

I suspect the magic word on Lankyman's prescription is 'insulin' CW.

Out of curiosity, my missus phoned a type 2 mate of ours who is on insulin twice a day
who said, "Waffar? Not just on Metformin anymore".

It's not the Chemist they have to worry about. It's the Prescription Pricing peeps.
They check a quota of prescriptions - no little white card can mean probs if they check you :(

I know - I was checked last year.......