ACCORDING to that nice Mr Gordon Brown, the prescription system is getting a makeover.

Just as well. It’s got more holes than an old pair of socks.

Patients with underactive thyroids don’t have to pay for any of their pills. Heart patients do.

Epileptics get all treatment free. Asthmatics don’t. Make sense to you? Me neither.

So it’s a bit of a lottery. Although many people get medication free, quite a few of you don’t. But if you are not lucky enough to live in Wales, the land of free prescriptions, it’s easy to think of better ways to spend £7.10 — the current charge — than handing it to the pharmacist.

No wonder some of you don’t bother collecting your pills — or give up once you start feeling the pinch. While you’re waiting for the suits to sort it out, and while your credit’s still being crunched, you need to cut costs without cutting your lifespan.

So here are some questions to ask next time your GP’s waving a prescription at you.

Do I really need a prescription at all?

Sometimes, the magic pills aren’t really so magical.

Take that sore throat. It’ll nearly always get better on its own. Maybe you just want to know you’re not dying. But your doc assumes you want a cure — so he’s giving you some antibiotics.

In fact, they’re not vital — at best, they’ll speed up recovery by just a day or so. Solution? Tell your doc whether you’re after reassurance or treatment.

And if he’s quick off the mark with the pills, ask if you really need them.

Can I treat myself without drugs?

Even if you do need treatment, that doesn’t have to mean a prescription. Take depression: You can help by cutting down on booze, bumping up the exercise and talking things through with someone.

Or blood pressure. If it’s borderline, you might just need to shed some lard and stop emptying the salt cellar over your chips.

Can I get it over the counter?

Quite possibly. Many treatments are now available to buy, such as anti-inflammatories, indigestion remedies and even antibiotic drops for eye infections.

They’re often cheaper than the prescription charge — ask the pharmacist.

Am I entitled to free prescriptions?

The rules will have your head spinning, and your GP or pharmacist might forget to point out you’re in a “No-pay” category — so check.

How big a supply can I have?

For long-term problems — like blood pressure or high cholesterol — most GPs dish out two months’ supply once you’re OK on the pills. If you’re getting less, do the Oliver routine and ask for more.

Occasionally, the doc is more generous. For example, for treatments that don’t need much monitoring — like HRT — some will hand out six months’ supply.

Should I get a pre-payment certificate?

If you’re rattling with pills, it might work out cheaper to get a pre-paid “season ticket”. Check with your pharmacist.

Is there any other way I can save some dosh?

Yes, sometimes a prescription can work out cheaper.

Say you have to dose up on hayfever treatment every summer. It may not cost the earth, but you’ll only get a few tablets. So it might be better to get a prescription — sure, it’ll cost £7.10, but your GP might prescribe a whole season’s supply.

Hopefully, that’s kept you and your bank balance healthy. So now you’ve got enough dosh to afford that new pair of socks.