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  • NHS - Get help with prescription costs
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Procedures and Paperwork

NHS - Get help with prescription costs

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avatar Gilda

Gilda

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Edited on 28/11/2016 at 07:54

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avatar Gilda

Gilda

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Last activity on 03/02/2023 at 15:26

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710 comments posted | 14 in the Procedures and Paperwork group


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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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avatar QUince

QUince

13/11/2019 at 09:41

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avatar QUince

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Last activity on 25/02/2025 at 10:11

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19 comments posted | 1 in the Procedures and Paperwork group

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


NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-13 09:41:43
avatar exit

Unregistered member

13/11/2019 at 09:45

In Wales you get free prescriptiona 


NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-13 09:45:15
avatar exit

Unregistered member

13/11/2019 at 09:52

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


NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-13 09:52:48
avatar exit

Unregistered member

13/11/2019 at 09:54

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.


NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-13 09:54:01

avatar lesmal

lesmal

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13/11/2019 at 09:58

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avatar lesmal

lesmal

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Last activity on 02/07/2025 at 15:56

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1,491 comments posted | 8 in the Procedures and Paperwork group

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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! 

See the signature

Les


NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-13 09:58:13

avatar Louise74

Louise74

13/11/2019 at 10:06

avatar Louise74

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Last activity on 31/07/2021 at 20:43

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I live in Scotland so I get free prescriptions 

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Louise Raeburn


NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-13 10:06:04

avatar Longmynd

Longmynd

13/11/2019 at 10:11

avatar Longmynd

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Last activity on 12/05/2021 at 22:38

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I already get free prescriptions as I’m of pensionable age. Thankyou.


NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-13 10:11:33

avatar Trudij

Trudij

13/11/2019 at 10:23

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avatar Trudij

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Yes I get free prescription and when I dont I pay for the PPC as I have more than 3 meds a month . . 


NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-13 10:23:39

avatar jonjon

jonjon

13/11/2019 at 10:44

avatar jonjon

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Living in Wales we get all for free.

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Jonjon


NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-13 10:44:03

avatar robjmckinney

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13/11/2019 at 10:51

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avatar robjmckinney

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As I am over 60 the prescriptions are now free but before 60 I received a War Pension and certain benefits which excluded me again from paying for prescriptions. Before then I was fit enough never to be sick!

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robjmckinney


NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-13 10:51:45
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