Campaigning for free prescriptions
Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) often requires a huge burden of daily medication essential to stay well. But shockingly around 2,500 adults with CF in England do not qualify for free prescriptions. We’re campaigning to change this.
Hear from James, Jade and Lucy about why free prescriptions should be available for everyone with cystic fibrosis (CF)!
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Why is the Trust campaigning for free prescriptions for everyone with CF?
CF is one of the few life-threatening, chronic conditions where people are still required to pay for prescriptions, incurring a lifelong financial burden.
When the exemption list was produced in 1968, children with CF weren’t expected to live to be adults – so CF wasn’t included. There are now more adults than children living with the condition. The list is outdated and unfair, with a survey by the Trust showing that 95% agreed that prescriptions should be free for people with CF.
Under the current system, many people with CF will continue to incur an ongoing cost for their daily treatments through prescription charges, or will have to pay the £114.50 annual pre-payment certificate. One person with CF described the charges as "essentially paying to stay alive”.
We believe it is vital that everyone with CF should have access to free prescriptions regardless of where they live in the UK. We’re campaigning hard on this issue by calling on the Government to review the prescription charge exemption list and to include everyone with cystic fibrosis, acknowledging the financial challenges faced by people with long-term conditions like CF.
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How can I get involved?
Share stories from our community
Hear from James, Jade and Lucy in our latest video about why free prescriptions should be available for everyone with cystic fibrosis! Join our latest prescription charges campaign action by sharing this video with your MP.
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Further support on prescription charges
For further information and advice on prescription charges, you can visit our information page, or contact the Helpline on 0300 373 1000 / 020 3795 2184, or email [email protected].
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Timeline
5 August 2025: The Trust becomes co-chair of the Prescription Charges Coalition alongside the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.
1 June 2025 The Trust briefs MPs ahead of a Westminster Hall debate on long-term conditions.
28 April 2025 Cystic Fibrosis Trust reacts to prescription charges freeze.
8 February 2025: The Trust and Prescription Charges Coalition respond to the UK Government’s Spending Review consultation.
17 January 2025: The Trust submits a proposal to the Health & Social Care Select Committee call for inquiry suggestions.
13 June 2024: The Prescription Charges Coalition writes to the party leaders, urging them to commit to reviewing the prescription charge exemptions list ahead of the general election.
4 April 2024: The Trust responds to Government announcement on prescription charge rise from 1 May
11 March 2024: MPs reference cystic fibrosis and call for end to prescription charges in parliamentary debate
6 March 2024: Media coverage highlights the Trust’s campaign for free prescriptions and marks one year since 1,300 messages from CF community were handed into 10 Downing Street.
29 February 2024: Trust joins Prescription Charges Coalition to hand in an open letter to Health Minister, Andrea Leadsom, calling for prescription charge freeze
22 February 2024: Cystic Fibrosis Trust Chief Executive David Ramsden writes to the Chancellor calling for free prescriptions for people with CF in the Spring Budget
22 November 2023: Autumn Statement takes place and Trust calls for action on prescription exemption alongside other support for people with CF
18 September 2023: Blog: It’s time to #ReviewTheList: our campaign for free prescriptions for everyone with CF
11 September 2023: CF community shares prescriptions stories video with the Health Committee Chair on Social Media
August 2023: Community petition adds thousands of voices to Prescription Charges campaign calls
15 March 2023: Spring Budget- The Trust calls for free prescriptions for people with CF.
22 March 2023: Prescription Charges Coalition releases report finding that the charge is a barrier to accessing medicine.
6 March 2023: The Trust hands in messages from the CF community to 10 Downing Street.
7 December 2022: The Trust publishes a prescription charges survey online and we receive over 1,300 responses from the community.
28 June 2022: The Trust takes part in a day of action and ask the CF community to share their stories with the Health and Social Care Committee.
24 May 2022: The Trust writes to Health and Social Care Committee Chair Jeremy Hunt alongside members of the Prescription Charges Coalition asking for his support.
16 May 2022: The Trust issues a statement in response to the freezing of prescription charges.
12 May 2022: The Trust calls for people with CF to be exempt from prescription charges in response to the rising cost of living.
8 April 2022: The Trust releases prescription charges survey results and writes to members of the Health & Social Care Committee.
2 February 2022: Paul Maynard MP leads a Westminster Hall debate on prescription charges and CF.
26 January 2022: The Trust calls on the CF community to share their story with their local MP ahead of a Westminster Hall debate.
Jade's story
"Everywhere I go, people are shocked and incredulous that I have to pay for my prescriptions. Friends, strangers, even healthcare providers – everyone can see the injustice. The £100+ I have to spend on an annual pre-payment certificate feels like a kick in the teeth, like I’m paying to stay alive; a reminder that I am a burden, though I never chose to have this condition."
Read Jade's storyCampaigning hard
Join us as we shout loud and clear for better care and services for people with CF.
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