Prescription Costs and Exemptions
NHS prescription charges apply in England. Some people are entitled to
free NHS prescriptions, while others may be able to reduce the cost of
their prescriptions by using a Prescription Prepayment Certificate.
If you are unsure whether you need to pay for your prescriptions,
please speak to a member of our pharmacy team or use the official NHS
eligibility checker.
Current NHS Prescription Charge
The current NHS prescription charge in England is
£9.90 per item.
The charge applies to each prescribed item rather than each prescription.
If several different medicines are prescribed, a separate charge may
apply to each item.
Some prescribed items are always free, including prescribed
contraceptives and certain medicines supplied in specific NHS settings.
Who Can Get Free NHS Prescriptions?
You may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions depending on your age,
circumstances, benefits or whether you hold a valid exemption certificate.
Age
You are entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you are:
- Under 16 years old
- 16, 17 or 18 and in qualifying full-time education
- 60 years old or over
Students aged 19 or over are not automatically entitled to free
prescriptions because they are students, but they may qualify for help
through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Pregnancy and Maternity
If you are pregnant or have given birth within the previous 12 months,
you can receive free NHS prescriptions if you have a valid
NHS maternity exemption certificate.
Your doctor, midwife or health visitor can arrange an application for
a maternity exemption certificate.
Find out more about maternity exemption certificates
Medical Exemption Certificates
People with certain medical conditions can receive free NHS
prescriptions if they have a valid medical exemption certificate.
Qualifying conditions include:
- A permanent fistula requiring continuous surgical dressing
or an appliance - Certain forms of hypoadrenalism, including Addison’s disease,
where specific replacement therapy is essential - Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism
- Diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Myasthenia gravis
- Myxoedema (hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)
- Epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
- A continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out
without the help of another person - Cancer where you are receiving treatment for cancer, the effects
of cancer or the effects of cancer treatment
Having one of these conditions does not automatically make a
prescription free. You must have a valid medical exemption certificate.
If you think you qualify, speak to your GP or another appropriate
healthcare professional about applying.
Find out more about medical exemption certificates
Benefits and Financial Circumstances
Some people receiving certain benefits are also entitled to free NHS
prescriptions. Not all benefits automatically provide entitlement.
You may qualify if you are included in an award of:
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, either on its own or with
Savings Credit - Universal Credit and you meet the NHS earnings requirements
For Universal Credit, your total take-home pay in your most recent
assessment period must normally be:
- £435 or less; or
- £935 or less if your Universal Credit includes
an element for a child or you have limited capability for work
If you claim Universal Credit as a couple, the earnings limit applies
to the combined take-home pay of you and your partner.
Receiving State Pension, Personal Independence Payment (PIP),
Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Pension Credit Savings Credit on
its own, or contribution-based benefits does not by itself automatically
entitle you to free NHS prescriptions.
Benefit rules can change and individual circumstances differ. You
should check your entitlement before claiming a free prescription.
NHS Low Income Scheme
If you are on a low income but are not automatically entitled to free
NHS prescriptions, you may be able to get help through the
NHS Low Income Scheme.
If you qualify for full help, you will receive an
HC2 certificate. A valid HC2 certificate entitles you
to free NHS prescriptions.
An HC3 certificate provides partial help with some NHS health costs,
but does not itself provide free NHS prescriptions.
Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme
Prescription Prepayment Certificates
If you regularly pay for NHS prescriptions, a
Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) may save
you money.
A PPC covers your NHS prescription charges for a set period, regardless
of how many eligible NHS prescription items you need during that time.
Current PPC Prices
3-month PPC: £32.05
12-month PPC: £114.50
A 12-month PPC can also be paid for by monthly Direct Debit instalments.
Buy or find out more about a Prescription Prepayment Certificate
Hormone Replacement Therapy PPC
If you pay for NHS prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy,
you may benefit from an
HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate (HRT PPC).
The HRT PPC currently costs £19.80 and lasts for
12 months.
It covers an unlimited number of eligible HRT medicines included
within the NHS HRT PPC scheme during the certificate period.
The certificate only covers eligible HRT medicines. Other prescribed
medicines will still require payment unless you have another exemption
or a standard Prescription Prepayment Certificate.
Find out more or buy an HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate
War Pension and Armed Forces Exemptions
If you have a valid War Pension, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
exemption certificate or an appropriate prescription exemption
certificate issued by the Ministry of Defence, you may receive free
NHS prescriptions relating to your accepted disability.
How Do I Prove My Exemption?
Depending on the type of exemption you are claiming, you may be asked
to provide evidence such as:
- A valid medical exemption certificate
- A valid maternity exemption certificate
- A valid HC2 certificate
- A valid Prescription Prepayment Certificate
- A valid HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate
- A benefit entitlement or award notice
- Evidence that you are in qualifying full-time education
Please make sure your certificate or entitlement is valid on the date
your prescription is collected.
Not Sure Whether You Are Exempt?
If you are unsure whether you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions,
you should check before claiming an exemption.
You can use the official NHS eligibility checker to find out what help
may be available to you.
Check if you are eligible for help with NHS health costs
If you are still unsure, you should normally pay the prescription
charge and ask the pharmacy for an
FP57 receipt and refund form at the time you pay.
An FP57 cannot normally be issued at a later date, so please ask for
one when making payment if you think you may later be able to claim
a refund.
If you later confirm that you were entitled to free prescriptions,
you can use the FP57 to apply for a refund. Claims should normally be
made within three months of paying the prescription charge.
Check Before You Claim
It is your responsibility to make sure you are entitled to free NHS
prescriptions before claiming an exemption.
NHS exemption claims are checked. If a free prescription is claimed
incorrectly, you may have to pay the original prescription charge and
may also receive a penalty charge.
If you are unsure, please ask a member of our pharmacy team and we
will be happy to point you towards the appropriate NHS guidance.
Further Information
Prescription charges and exemption rules can change. For the latest
information, please visit the NHS or NHS Business Services Authority
websites.