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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Magcrow

13/11/2019 at 21:38

Magcrow

Last activity on 10/12/2019 at 07:43

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I am retired so 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 21:38:25

RebeccaH

14/11/2019 at 00:26

RebeccaH

Last activity on 04/05/2025 at 15:19

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I am not entitled to free prescriptions , but now pay for pre paid scripts,works out about £10.40 a month paid by direct debit, this makes it so much easier and covers all medication from GP and dentist no limit to amount

Thankyou

NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-14 00:26:03

JanetteR

14/11/2019 at 15:49

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JanetteR

Last activity on 31/03/2025 at 19:36

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I'm over 60 so 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 2019-11-14 15:49:21

Jackiec

14/11/2019 at 16:09

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Jackiec

Last activity on 07/07/2021 at 13:04

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As a diabetic and now I am 60 my prescriptions are free

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Jackie

NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-14 16:09:51

MrsELarkin

14/11/2019 at 19:09

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MrsELarkin

Last activity on 29/06/2025 at 17:09

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I already have free prescriptions thankyou as I require gluten free bread for Coeliac Disease and daily meds for 2 other conditions.

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EileenL

NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-14 19:09:17

Mulligankaren

14/11/2019 at 19:10

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Mulligankaren

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I get free prescriptions in Scotland as I have type 1 diabetes so i'm exempt. Thanks anyway.

NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-14 19:10:36

Lesley-AnneBrewster

14/11/2019 at 20:27

Lesley-AnneBrewster

Last activity on 31/10/2024 at 11:07

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I live in Scotland where our SNP -led government provides FREE Prescriptions for All.

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Lesley-anne Brewster

NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-14 20:27:14

matjay43

14/11/2019 at 22:07

matjay43

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I get free prescriptions, being type 2 diabetic with a valid medical exemption certificate.

NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-11-14 22:07:55

Petersson

Edited on 12/12/2019 at 15:10

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Petersson

Last activity on 24/11/2021 at 15:07

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I think you should note the exceptions here and that this is specifically for England. Here in Scotland for instance, prescriptions are free. Anyone in Wales or N Ireland know it it's different there too?

NHS - Get help with prescription costs https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/procedures-and-paperwork/get-help-with-prescription-costs-912 2019-12-12 15:09:34

NHS - Get help with prescription costs

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