Unfortunately, people with cancer aren't automatically exempt for prescription charges. So your son will have to pay for his prescriptions unless he is:

• living in Wales
• over the age of 60
• getting Income Support or a Jobseeker's Allowance

or if he has

• one of the 'long-term' medical conditions such as diabetes (but not cancer) exempted from prescription charges
• a continuing physical disability which means that he can't go out without the help of another person

If your son does not qualify for free prescriptions there are two ways in which he might be able to reduce the costs:

• his family doctor may be willing to prescribe him a two month's supply of the drug
• if he needs lots of prescriptions he may consider buying a ‘Prescription Payment Certificate’ for four months or for a year. If he needs to buy more than five prescriptions a month, or 14 items in one year, then it will save him money.

If your son lives in England or Northern Ireland, you can find out more details about the rules on prescription charges on the Department of Health website. If he lives in Scotland, the Scottish Executive website has information on getting help with health costs.

Many people, including some politicians and MPs feel that it is unfair that people with cancer have to pay for their prescription drugs. There have been campaigns to try to change these rules but so far they have been unsuccessful. If you feel strongly about this then you could write to your local MP to let them know your views.