Prescriptions: In England, the NHS prescription charge is £9.90 per item. However, some individuals and groups are exempt from paying, and prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer cost savings for those who frequently need prescriptions.
Important Note: If a prescription includes multiple medicines, you’ll pay the charge for each separate item (e.g., two medications on one prescription = £19.80).
💡 Save Money with Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPCs): Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPCs) can be cheaper than paying for individual prescriptions, especially if you need several prescriptions/regular medications within the validity period of the certificate.
- Currently, 3-Month PPC: costs £32.05 and 12-Month PPC: costs £114.50.Â
- If interested, you can buy a PPC online by visiting 🔗 NHS PPC Info & Purchase
✅ Exemptions and Free Prescriptions:
- Contraceptives:Â Always free.Â
- Hospital Inpatients:Â Medication prescribed for hospital inpatients (during hospital admission) is free.Â
- Age:Â Individuals under 16, aged 16-18 and in full-time education, and those aged 60 and over are entitled to free prescriptions.Â
- Medical conditions (with a Medical Exemption Certificate): Diabetes (not diet-controlled), cancer treatment, epilepsy requiring medication, hypothyroidism, Hypoparathyroidism, Addison’s disease, myasthenia gravis, permanent fistula (e.g. colostomy), chronic adrenal insufficiency, and cystic fibrosis.
- Other Exemptions:Â Pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months (with a Maternity Exemption Certificate) and certain low-income groups may also be exempt.