Help with NHS costs

In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those on low incomes, such as:

• those on specific benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme
• those who are age exempt
• those with certain medical conditions
• More information is available at NHS Choices

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.90
• 3-month PPC: £32.05
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £114.50

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

Patients who are prescribed Hormone Replacement Therapy medications can now apply for a 12 month prepayment certificate that will cover just their HRT charges. The charge is £19.80 for the year.

As the HRT prepayment certificate only covers HRT medication, GPs are being asked to put HRT medications on separate prescription forms to any other medications you may be taking. Please request your medication in the usual way and we will put HRT requests through on a separate prescription. Not all HRT medication is covered by the prepayment certificate, for information on what is covered please see Medicines covered by the HRT PPC | NHSBSA

If you need to access the services below, the medicines you're prescribed are free:

• medicines administered at a hospital or an NHS walk-in centre
• prescribed contraceptives
• medicines personally administered by a GP or provided via a patient group direction (PGD)
• medicines supplied at a hospital or clinical commissioning group (CCG) clinic for the treatment of a sexually transmitted infection, tuberculosis, or a mental disorder for those subject to a supervised community treatment order 

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website.