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why do i have to pay for my vitamin B12 injection?

Posted , 6 users are following.

julie26584
julie26584

Recently i have been diagnosed with low vit b12 and been prescribed injection which i have to purchase and take it to the nurse to inject it twice a weeek.

I have previously had vit b12 injections once a month but they were free. I was told by my GP that i am very low in vitamin so will need it twica a week for 3 weeks then every 3 months. 

My question is why am i paying for these injections, shouldn't it be free on NHS?

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • marion29181
    marion29181 julie26584

    Posted

    It should be free on the NHS, especially as you have a diagnosis of low B12. Maybe a good idea to contact the Pernicious Anaemia Society website, there is a phone number on there, and they can advise you. They may also intervene, on your behalf, with the GP. Best wishes Marion
  • dave56472
    dave56472 julie26584

    Posted

    Not sure why yours aren't free Julie - mine are.    But perha[u]ps[/u] it's because I'm a lot older than you ?
  • d39719
    d39719 julie26584

    Posted

    Prescriptions aren't free for most of us, so why would B12 be different?

    I haven't paid for mine. The doctor said they would probably be able to use their own stock and so I wouldn't have to pay, but gave me the impression that I might have to pay in future. Perhaps they're only asking you to pay because you're requiring an increased dose.

  • marion29181
    marion29181 julie26584

    Posted

    I think the issue here is that they were free when you were having them once a month. I wonder what the reason is for the change in introducing a charge? Is it just down to the frequency increasing for three weeks? If the GP can't explain, you can contact the local CCG for an answer.

    Mine are free as I also have a thyroid condition, which allows free prescriptions. Also at a certain age you are entitled to free prescriptions.

    Perhaps the GP has just been asked to cut costs, and is looking at ways to do that. Best wishes Marion

  • dave56472
    dave56472 julie26584

    Posted

    My first 6 injections which I had on alternate days were free and subsequent 12 weekly injections have also been free.  As I've said before - perhaps due to my age.
  • paula43438
    paula43438 julie26584

    Posted

    hi, I've had b12 for years and my last 2 I haven't had to pay for and just went to get my 3rd lot and they charged me for them! I have never been charged, it's quite annoying! absolute joke, sorry just needed to rant

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