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Increased access to medicine and treatments

We campaign for everyone with Crohn's or Colitis and other long-term conditions to be exempt, or continue to be exempt,  from prescription charges wherever they live in the UK.

Our research shows that prescription charges are a barrier to people with Crohn’s and Colitis collecting and taking the medicines they need to keep well.  This can lead to worsening health and affect ability to work. As a member of the Prescription Charges Coalition and in collaboration with other charities, we campaign for everyone with Crohn's or Colitis and other long-term conditions to be exempt  from prescription charges wherever they live in the UK.  

At the moment, most people with IBD in England who work, have to pay for their medicines. This is because the exempt list of conditions which qualifies for free prescriptions is limited, unfair and out of date. Prescriptions are currently free of charge in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

We know that the extra cost of paying for prescriptions can be a barrier to people taking their medication as prescribed, which can have serious consequences for people’s health. Nearly a third of those who said they pay for their prescriptions (30%), reported skipping or reducing medication doses, with 43% of these citing cost concerns as key factor. As part of the Prescription Charges Coalition, we’re campaigning for all people with long-term conditions to receive free prescriptions in England. 

Research published in May 2018 by the York Health Economics Consortium (YHEC) found that scrapping prescription charges for people with two long-term conditions - Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) and Parkinson’s - would save the NHS over £20 million a year. 

How can you get involved?

Increased access to medicine and treatments
Find out more about Prescription Prepayment Certificates and other help with health costs.
If you have a permanent stoma you are eligible for medical exemption – find out about how to claim medical exemption.
Visit the Prescription Charges Coalition website to get the latest updates.

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None of our award-winning campaigns would be possible without our amazing community of dedicated campaigners. Your powerful voice really does matter. 

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Helpline Service

Last updated: 22/07/2026

Our Helpline team can't take calls, chats or ring you back for the rest of the summer. But you can still reach us by email. 

If you need to contact the team, please email helpline@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk and we'll answer you as soon as possible. 

Thanks for bearing with us.

How Can We Help?

  • We can help you understand Crohn’s and Colitis
  • Listen and talk about living with IBD
  • Help you connect with others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community
  • Give you contact details of specialist organisations
  • We can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis and provide up-to-date, evidence-based information

Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.

If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.

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