NHS prescription charges in England are increasing from Wednesday 1 May, but there may be a way for you to beat the hikes.
The cost of a single prescription will increase by 25p from £9.65 to £9.90 an item from this date, but if you need more than one prescription each month, you may be able to save by getting a prescription ‘season ticket’.
Here’s what you need to know.
Who doesn’t pay for prescriptions
The following only applies to people in England, as in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland prescriptions are provided free of charge.
Several groups of people don’t pay for prescriptions. You shouldn’t have to pay:
- If you’re aged 60 or over
- If you’re aged under 16 (or under 18 if you are in full-time education)
- If you’re pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months (you’ll need a valid medical exemption certificate)
- If you have a particular illness or medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate
- If you have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate
- If you hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
- If you are an NHS inpatient
- If you’re on income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- If you’re on income support
- If you’re on income-based employment and support allowance
- If you’re receiving Pension Credit guarantee credit
- If you’re on Universal Credit.
You can also get free prescriptions if you or your partner are named on, or are entitled to, an NHS tax credit exemption certificate or a valid HC2 certificate (full help with health costs).
If you don’t fall into one of these groups, then you’ll have to pay £9.65 for each prescription you have (rising to £9.90 on 1 May).
Prescription ‘season tickets’
If you pay for your prescriptions and you need a number of prescriptions in a year you may be better off buying a prescription prepayment certificate which will cover all your prescriptions for a year. There are three different types of pre-payment certificates (PPC):
| Certificate type | Cost |
| Three-month PPC | £31.25 (rising to £32.05 from May 1) |
| 12-month PPC | £111.60 (rising to £114.50 from May 1) |
Hormone Replacement Therapy PPC (covers unlimited number of certain HRT medicines for 12 months) | £19.30 (rising to £19.80 from May 1) |
If you buy the annual prescription prepayment certificate, you can pay for it by Direct Debit over ten months. The certificate also entitles you to free dental prescriptions, although not free dental treatment. You can buy a prepayment certificate at NHS.uk or at any pharmacy which sells prepayment certificates. It’s also possible to buy one over the phone by calling 0300 330 1341.
If you think a prescription certificate could save you money, you may want to consider buying one now, before the May 1 hikes come into effect.
How much could you save with a PPC?
The table below shows how much you can save with a prepayment certificate depending on the number of prescriptions you need.
If you buy the annual prescription prepayment certificate, you can pay for it by Direct Debit over ten months. The certificate also entitles you to free dental prescriptions, although not free dental treatment. You can buy a prepayment certificate at NHS.uk or at any pharmacy which sells prepayment certificates. It’s also possible to buy one over the phone by calling 0300 330 1341.
| Number of prescribed medicines you need each month | Saving with a 12 month PPC | Saving with a 3 month PPC |
| 2 | More than £120 a year | More than £26 in 3 months |
| 3 | More than £235 a year | More than £55 in 3 months |
| 4 | More than £351 a year | More than £84 in 3 months |
Source: NHS
The HRT PPC will save you money if you need more than two prescribed HRT items in a year.
NHS low income scheme
If you’re on a low income, you may also be able to get help with medical costs through the NHS Low Income scheme.
You will qualify for full or partial help towards prescription charges if:
- You have savings or capital less than £16,000, or
- You have savings or capital less than £23,250 and you live in a care home (£24,000 if you live in Wales).
If you’re entitled to help, it also applies to your partner and any children who are dependent on you.
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