We believe that people with a diagnosis of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) should not have to pay for prescriptions. Everyone should be able to access the medicines they need to stay well for free, without worrying about whether or not they can afford it. 

 

We are carrying out a survey, supported by Kidney Research UK and Kidney Care UK, to learn more about whether people on different treatments for their kidney disease pay for their prescription medicines. We are looking closely at whether people on dialysis are paying for prescriptions, because the wording of the current criteria leaves room for different interpretations of whether a permanent fistula for dialysis leads to exemption.

 

Unlike England, everyone who is registered with a GP in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales is entitled to free prescriptions.

In England, unless you are exempt from prescription charges, you need to pay a fee for each of your prescription items. This is currently £9.90.

Many people with kidney disease in England decide to purchase an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate, which covers all your NHS prescriptions for a set price.

The National Kidney Federation are long-standing members of the Prescription Charges Coalition because we think the system is unfair and outdated.

Please take a few minutes to complete our survey, the survey closes on 16 July 2026. 

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