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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ElizabethJane1

13/11/2019 at 15:57

ElizabethJane1

Last activity on 27/05/2025 at 19:08

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I have a pre payment certificate and have done this for years as I take lithium. As a household our income is too much to be entitled to 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 15:57:01

muttifiles

13/11/2019 at 16:22

muttifiles

Last activity on 02/01/2025 at 11:09

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As I have Diabetes I get 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 16:22:13

Unregistered member

13/11/2019 at 16:34

Already have free prescriptions as I am 73. 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 16:34:00

GloriaG

13/11/2019 at 16:56

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GloriaG

Last activity on 28/02/2023 at 00:50

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@eugenie That is great for people living in the UK but I live in a remote part of Indonesia, so I get no help at all with anything medical or a pension or much else to boot. Good luck to all who can get help...Gloria

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 16:56:56

Caron63

13/11/2019 at 16:58

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Caron63

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Hi Michael

No I haven't heard of it

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 16:58:46

Unregistered member

13/11/2019 at 19:04

Thanks Michael . Prescriptions for over 60 are free any way, so I dont have to pay for my prescriptions. As CBD oil is not on prescription and GPs o not prescribe that except for Epilepsy and MS. But those suffering Chronic illness or pain due to various illnesses, is not on Prescription.

Thanks for the info.

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 19:04:30

the-demi-god

13/11/2019 at 20:18

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the-demi-god

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If I did not have free prescriptions this info would be extremely helpful & although I am now over the age where I require to pay anyway, there was a time when I did. I developed epilepsy after surgery & It was a locum pharmacist who told me that I should not be paying for this prescription .... 6 months after I had started taking it. I was always very grateful to him.

There is a lot of people out there who don't go for prescriptions they need because they can't afford to pay for them.

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 20:18:35

featherfan

13/11/2019 at 20:38

featherfan

Last activity on 18/07/2020 at 10:55

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I already received free prescriptions for my under active thyroid. Plus now I am over 60 I get free prescriptions. Thank you for the info, I will pass it onto my friends.....

See the signature

J Hemes

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 20:38:25

Alfie2

13/11/2019 at 20:45

Alfie2

Last activity on 08/09/2024 at 14:43

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Hi I get free prescriptions as I'm over 65...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 20:45:30

richardbryant

13/11/2019 at 21:20

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richardbryant

Last activity on 10/03/2025 at 22:26

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I have free prescriptions as over 70. Currently not on any medication.

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 21:20:44

NHS - Get help with prescription costs

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