The Prime Minister announced in the autumn of 2008 that people battling cancer will be entitled to exemption from NHS prescription charges from this year, if they hold a valid NHS Medical Exemption Certificate.

From the 20th January 2009,  cancer patients can pre-apply for an exemption certificate which will be valid from 1 April 2009.  To apply, patients should complete form FP92A available at their doctor's practice or NHS Trust oncology department.Certificates are valid for 5 years and will be renewable for patients still receiving treatment for cancer or the effects of cancer treatment.Exemption certificates will be issued to those, who in their doctor's judgement are receiving treatment for:

• cancer;
• the effects of cancer;  or
• the effects of current or previous cancer treatment.

Guidance about the extension of the list of medical conditions has been issued to doctor's.  It includes guidance on who the new medical exemption is intended to cover. 

A copy of the guidance is attached as a PDF in the box above.

For enquiries about the new arrangements e-mail: medicalproject@ppa.nhs.uk