How to Save Money on Prescriptions

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The full cost of an NHS prescription in England is now £9. If you need regular medications, that can quickly add up to a substantial sum.

The good news, however, is that many people are entitled to free prescriptions, and others have methods open to them to save money.

Before I go into that, though, I should point out that all NHS prescriptions are now free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. So if you are lucky enough to live in one of these countries, you won’t normally be required to pay for your prescriptions.

Who Is Eligible for Free Prescriptions in England?

Here is a list of everyone eligible for free prescriptions in England, taken from the NHS website:

You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:

  • are 60 or over
  • are under 16
  • are 16 to 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 (see below) and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
  • have a continuing physical disability that prevents you 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

The medical conditions which qualify you for free prescriptions include cancer, diabetes (unless treated by diet only) and hyperthyroidism. For the full list, see this web page from the NHS Business Services Authority. If this applies to you, you will need to complete an application form FP92A from your GP, who will also sign it to confirm that you have the qualifying condition stated. Certificates are valid for five years, and once you have one you will be eligible for free prescriptions for any condition, not just the one through which you qualified.

You’re 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
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Universal Credit and meet the criteria

Finally, you will qualify for free prescriptions if you’re entitled to or named on:

  • a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you do not 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 with prescription costs.

What If You Don’t Qualify for Free Prescriptions?

If you don’t qualify for free prescriptions on any of the grounds set out above, there are still some things you can do to reduce the cost of your prescriptions.

One is to buy a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC). These are available for three months or a year and entitle you to free NHS prescriptions for all conditions during this time.

At the time of writing a three-month PPC costs £29.10 and a year’s costs £104. In general, if you need more than one prescription a month and have to pay for it, a PPC will work out cheaper.

If you have a long-term condition, a one-year certificate will usually represent the best value. A person getting two prescriptions a month would save more than £100 a year by this means compared with paying for individual prescriptions. The simplest way to get a Prescription Prepayment Certificate is to apply via the NHS Prescriptions website.

Finally, it’s worth bearing in mind that some medications, especially for minor conditions, are available over the counter without a prescription. This can often work out cheaper than paying a prescription charge.

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