In May 2024, the cost of an NHS prescription in England rose to £9.90 per item – and if you’re on multiple forms of medication that can result in a hefty payment each time you vist the pharmacy.
But did you know there’s a way of potentially cutting costs dramatically? Laura Potts, who suffers from a number of health ailments and has several prescription items herself, explains what you can do to save money.
“I take a lot of medication so I get a lot of prescription medication from the pharmacy each month,” she began in a TikTok video. “We’re talking seven or eight different boxes at a time.”
However, Laura pointed out: “You can actually get something called a prepayment certificate (PPC) where you can pay monthly, three-monthly or yearly at a set price.” Of course, this doesn’t apply to those that are exempt from payment for a variety of reasons.
“So if I was to pay for my seven or eight items every month, that would add up quite quickly,” Laura continued. “What I do now though is pay £11 per month and I get unlimited prescriptions with my PPC. It saves so much money as a chronically ill girl and that is a life-saver for me.”
Laura closed by revealing that a lot of people had “reached out to her” admitting they weren’t aware of PPCs, so she thought her video may prove useful to many others. “So if you’re someone that has to pay for prescriptions, look up NHS prepayment certificates,” she said.
“As a poor chronically ill person it’s incredible,” one TikTok user enthused. “You can also let your doctor know so they can prescribe things you may be able to get over the counter.”
A second person added: “Even for two boxes of medicine it saves you a lot. Some conditions you can also get exemptions such as diabetes for but you have to apply through the GP.” A third reacted in shock: “Wait, I never knew this – my cost of inhalers each month is like £54!”
A fourth penned: “I’m on Universal Credit due to multiple disabilities – I honestly couldn’t afford my meds without it.” Whilst a fifth hailed: “I have a prepaid certificate, my husband does too! Saving us together about £60-80/month!”
The NHS website advises:
“A PPC covers all your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need. A PPC does not cover the cost of other health items, such as wigs and fabric supports.
There are 3 PPC options:
- a 3-month PPC costs £32.05 and will save you money if you need more than 3 prescribed items in 3 months
- a 12-month PPC costs £114.50 and will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year
- a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC costs £19.80 and will save you money if you need more than 2 prescribed qualifying HRT items in a year.”
For further information, see the NHS’ PPC website here.
All NHS prescription charges abolished in Wales in 2007, followed by Northern Ireland in 2010 and Scotland in 2011.
