POLLEN PROBLEM
Tens of thousands of Brits paying over the odds for hay fever tablets – here’s how to cut the cost
Each prescription cost the hay fever sufferer between £8.20 and £8.60
TENS of thousands of hay fever sufferers are wasting cash paying NHS prescriptions charges, according to a new analysis.
A fifth of the British population suffer from the allergy - an estimated 15 million people in the UK.
2
NHS prescriptions come at a cost of between £8.20 and £8.60 in England, though they are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
New figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by, have now revealed that patients in England paid for over 180,000 prescriptions for the three main hay fever remedies in 2016 and 2017.
Yet an analysis by the money saving website found that some of those hay fever sufferers could have saved up to £6 by buying "over the counter" tablets instead.
For example, it found 30-packs of cetirizine, the most frequently prescribed hay fever medicine, selling for £1.99 in Boots - that's £6.61 cheaper per park compared with one bought on prescription.
2
Steve Nowottny, from MSE, said: "Don't assume that just because you've been issued with a prescription, that's necessarily the cheapest way to get the medicine - always check.
He advised patients to do a quick scan of the prices before buying adding that "the potential savings are not to be sneezed at."
Hay fever season started more abruptly than usual this year, when experts warned we were set for months of misery at the beginning of April.
In May, Britain's first ever hay fever map highlighted pollen hot spots in the UK.
How to cut prescription costs
HERE are few tips to cut the cost of your hay fever tablets
- Check if you qualify for free prescriptions: First of all, check to see if you qualify for free prescriptions. If you are under 16 or over 60, aged 16-18 and in full-time education, pregnant (if you hold a Maternity Exemption certificate), or on income support you can get free prescriptions.
- Ditch the big brands and save 35 per cent on your medication: Buying big name medicine brands could be up to eight times more expensive than non-branded alternatives, despite the fact that the ingredients are the same.
- Online is usually cheaper when buying in bulk: MSE found that packs of tablets can cost as little as 45p but due to delivery costs this is often only a good deal if you're buying in bulk.
- Ask you GP or your pharmacist for help: Ideally your GP or staff at your local phamarcy should warn you if over-counter medicine is cheaper - but just ask if you're in doubt.
Treatment can include taking antihistamines to prevent an allergic reaction, or corticosteroids (steroids) to help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Symptoms can be alleviated by wearing sunglasses outdoors to prevent pollen from getting in your eyes. For further tips on preventing hay fever, see the website.
An investigation by the Sun Online looked at the price of a series of medications at seven high street stores and found that some shoppers were paying up to EIGHT times the price for identical medication.
Most read in money
For instance, a pack of 12 ibuprofen tablets will set you back £1.84 from Morrisons, while a pack of their own brand medicine will set you back just 32p.
As long as the "active" ingredients are the same, the unbranded medicine will have the same effect and it will save you a ton of money.
Read our full guide on how you how to cut the cost of NHS prescriptions and get cheap or free medicines.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 78 24516. Don't forget to join the for the latest bargains and money-saving advice.
Topics