NHS - Get help with prescription costs

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Gilda

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Edited on 28/11/2016 at 07:54

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Gilda

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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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8245Flofoareack

13/11/2019 at 10:59

8245Flofoareack

Last activity on 31/08/2026 at 10:15

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3 comments posted | 1 in the Procedures and Paperwork group

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I’m in Scotland and we’ve had free prescriptions for some time now

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Dorothy J Stuart

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 10:59:40

Paithaisheevayck3

13/11/2019 at 11:30

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Paithaisheevayck3

Last activity on 08/02/2022 at 18:11

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I have diabetes so get all but now over 60yrs

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Terry Grady

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 11:30:41

6116Thatrash

13/11/2019 at 11:45

6116Thatrash

Last activity on 11/03/2022 at 15:56

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Thanks for this information. I live in Northern Ireland and we have free prescriptions.

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 11:45:42

Unregistered member

13/11/2019 at 12:27

I've been using prepay certificates for several years; by buying a 3 month one and then carefully ordering my repeat prescriptions I have ben able to make further savings. My last one just expired and I will not be renewing it - Im eligible for free prescriptions in 9 days!

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 12:27:53

Precroowoa0413

13/11/2019 at 13:09

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Precroowoa0413

Last activity on 30/03/2026 at 11:08

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Hello all

I get free medication as I have medication for an under active thyroid. People need to ask their GP if they have this medication as it doesn't happen automatically. I had the meds for a year before I found out about it,

Mary xx

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 13:09:42

Unregistered member

13/11/2019 at 13:22

I am 71 so do I get help?

I had chemo 4 years ago but am no longer on any medication.

If I should need any meds in the future, am I eligible

Regards

Madeleine

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 13:22:44

Blohoas591

13/11/2019 at 13:28

Blohoas591

Last activity on 03/09/2020 at 10:25

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Over 60 have free prescriptions

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cabbie12

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 13:28:30

Unregistered member

13/11/2019 at 13:42

I have a exemption card,

thank you

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 13:42:32

Frikobreadayt7823

13/11/2019 at 14:05

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Frikobreadayt7823

Last activity on 29/06/2025 at 19:37

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I receive free prescriptions as I am retired and have been for over 10 years. My husband used to prepay his prescriptions before he turned 60 as being asthmatic he was on a number of medications which meant he saved money. Useful information though for those who were not aware. Thanks

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 14:05:34

Unregistered member

13/11/2019 at 14:55

I am retired and fortunately costs do not apply to me - sorry

Mick

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 14:55:18

NHS - Get help with prescription costs

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