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NHS - Get help with prescription costs

Published 12 Nov 2019 • Updated 18 Nov 2019 • By Josephine O'Brien

Have you heard of prescription aides from the NHS? They may be able to help you to save money on your prescription costs.

NHS - Get help with prescription costs
Prescription prepayment certificates (PPC) are available in England and they can save you money.

NHS prescription costs
The current prescription charge is £9.00 per item (as of April 2019).
A three monthly PPC is £29.10 and could save you money if you need more than three prescribed items in three months.  
A 12-month certificate is £104.00 and could save you money if you need more than 12 prescribed items in a year.
PPCs are available by 10 monthly direct debit instalment payments. The prescription prepayment certificates allow anyone to obtain all the prescriptions they need for £2 per week. 
 
If you need to access the services below then medicines are free:
* Medicines administered at a hospital or an NHS walk-in centre.
* Prescribed contraceptives.
* Medicines personally administered by a GP.
* Medicines supplied at a hospital or Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) clinic for the treatment of a sexually transmitted infection or tuberculosis. 

Who is entitled to free prescriptions?

You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:
* are 60 or over
* are under 16
* are 16-18 and in full-time education
* are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)  
* have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
* have a continuing physical disability that prevents you from going out without help from another person and have a valid MedEx
* hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
* are an NHS inpatient

You are also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
* Income Support
* Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
* Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or  
* Pension Credit Guarantee Credit 
* Universal Credit and meet the criteria 

If you're entitled to or named on:
* a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you don't have a certificate, you can show your award notice; you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax * Credits with a disability element (or both) and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
* a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
* People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help.

For more info keep reading on the NHS site :)

 

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Initially published on March 24th, 2016. Update on November 12th, 2019.

avatar Josephine O'Brien

Author: Josephine O'Brien, Community Manager UK

Josephine is the Community Manager of the UK with a Master’s in Publishing. She is a strong believer in the power of words and strives to make Carenity UK a comforting, vibrant and informative community for both... >> Learn more

54 comments


QUince
on 13/11/2019

I used to have a yearly payment until I retired and now they are free 


avatar
Unregistered member
on 13/11/2019

In Wales you get free prescriptiona 


Beechres68
on 13/11/2019

I live outside the UK and am not a UK citizen.


avatar
Unregistered member
on 13/11/2019

No, I thought RA was not covered so I have pre-pay certificate, I could not afford my medication without it and as far as I know I do not qualify for free prescriptions until I am 60.


lesmal • Ambassador
on 13/11/2019

I am on NHS and over 60 so get free prescriptions. I am grateful to NHS and my Pharmacy for the great service they provide me with.

I am on several medications for many medical conditions. Not paying for prescriptioins is a massive saving for me.

Thank you to all! 

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