Ending prescription charges for people with Crohn’s and Colitis

We know 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 people’s ability to work. As a member of the Prescription Charges Coalition, we campaign for everyone with Crohn's or Colitis and other long-term conditions to be exempt from prescription charges across the UK.  

Charges in England

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 This is because the exempt list of conditions which qualifies for free prescriptions is limited, unfair and out of date.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. 

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. 

Your prescriptions

• 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.
• Changes to over-the-counter medication – find out what they mean for you.