The NHS has confirmed a £114.50 charge for some households who have prescriptions due to a 12-month rule. The NHS allows some groups to benefit from £0 and free prescriptions, but not everyone qualifies.
If you know you'll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC), the NHS has said. These cover all your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need.
Three PPC Options Available
There are three options, the most expensive of which is a 12-month PPC costing £114.50. This will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year, the NHS has confirmed in its guidance.
To apply, you can buy an NHS prescription prepayment certificate online via the NHS website. The PPC will start from the day you submit your application, unless you ask for a different start date, the health body adds. The start date must be within one month before or after the date of your application.
How to Apply
You can also apply using the PPC order line on 0300 330 1341. Your PPC will be valid from the day you make the phone call, unless you request otherwise. The NHS added: "Some pharmacies may be able to sell you a 3-month PPC or the HRT PPC, which will be valid from the day you purchase it."
Money Saving Expert Analysis
Money Saving Expert, the site founded by BBC and ITV star Martin Lewis, said: "The number of people missing out has risen slightly compared to 2023/24, when 872,000 patients could've saved with a prescription 'season ticket' – officially called a 'prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)'."
The article adds: "Separately, the new figures show that an estimated 209,000 people could have potentially saved around £28 each on average or £5.8 million collectively by purchasing a 'hormone replacement therapy' (HRT) PPC. This is a decrease from the 286,000 patients identified in 2023/2024 who could have saved around £7.6 million."
