Help with NHS costs

In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those who fall within certain exemption criteria, 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 by clicking here.

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

• Prescription (per item): £9.65
• 3-month PPC (Prescription Payment Certificate): £31.25
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60

If you need to pay for four or more prescription items in three months or for 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.

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.