GPhC Reg. 9011292 Free Tracked Delivery Discreet Plain Packaging New: free NHS prescription delivery
Excellent4.7 out of 5, rated by our customers
Review us on Trustpilot

Prescription prepayment certificates and free prescriptions

A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) covers all your NHS prescriptions in England for a fixed price: £32.05 for 3 months or £114.50 for 12 months. With the NHS prescription charge at £9.90 per item, a PPC saves you money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months or more than 11 in a year. Check first that you are not already entitled to free prescriptions.

The NHS prescription charge

In England you pay £9.90 for each item on a prescription, not for each prescription. Some items are always free, including contraception and medicines given to hospital inpatients.

This charge applies in England only. Prescriptions are free in Scotland and in Northern Ireland, and in Wales if you are registered with a Welsh GP and use a Welsh pharmacy.

How a PPC works

A PPC is a season ticket for prescriptions. You pay once, and every NHS prescription item you need while it is valid is covered, however many there are. That includes NHS dental prescriptions. It does not cover other health items such as wigs and fabric supports.

There are two general certificates:

  • a 3-month PPC at £32.05, worth having if you need more than 3 items in those 3 months
  • a 12-month PPC at £114.50, worth having if you need more than 11 items in the year

The HRT prepayment certificate

There is a separate certificate for hormone replacement therapy. The HRT PPC costs £19.80, the same as two single items, and covers an unlimited number of certain HRT medicines for 12 months, whatever they are prescribed for. It pays for itself if you would otherwise pay for HRT items three or more times in a year.

Two cautions. The HRT PPC does not cover every HRT medicine, so check the NHS Business Services Authority list, or ask your GP or pharmacist, before you buy. And it covers nothing else. If you also take other regular medicines, a standard PPC may save you more.

How to buy a PPC

  1. Check whether you can get free prescriptions.
  2. Buy online from the NHS Business Services Authority, or call the PPC order line on 0300 330 1341. Some pharmacies sell the 3-month PPC and the HRT PPC.
  3. Choose a start date. A PPC can start up to one month before or after the day you apply.
  4. Pay by card, or spread a 12-month PPC over 10 monthly Direct Debit instalments. The HRT PPC is a single payment.
  5. Receive your certificate details by email or by post.

If you pay for a prescription while you wait for a PPC, ask the pharmacy for an NHS receipt and refund form (FP57) at the time. If your certificate covers the date you paid, you can claim the charge back within 3 months.

Who gets free prescriptions in England

Some people are entitled automatically because of age:

  • under 16
  • aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
  • aged 60 or over

Free prescriptions for people aged 60 and over need no application and no certificate.

Others qualify through a certificate or a benefit. You are entitled if you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months and hold a maternity exemption certificate, or if you have one of the listed medical conditions and hold a medical exemption certificate. Without the certificate you are not covered, even if you have the condition. People with an HC2 certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme qualify, as do those receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. Universal Credit can entitle you too, depending on your earnings in your last assessment period. A war pension exemption certificate covers prescriptions for your accepted disability.

Only claim if you are sure. If in doubt, pay, ask for an FP57 and claim a refund once you know.

Using your PPC or exemption with MedsRus

The MedsRus NHS prescription service accepts all exemptions and prepayment certificates. You add your certificate or your exemption reason when you sign up. If you do pay, it is the standard NHS charge per item, with nothing added for delivery.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a prescription prepayment certificate?

In England a 3-month PPC costs £32.05 and a 12-month PPC costs £114.50. The HRT PPC costs £19.80 and lasts 12 months. For comparison, the NHS prescription charge is £9.90 per item. A 12-month PPC can be paid in 10 monthly Direct Debit instalments; the others are paid in one go.

Is a PPC worth it for two items a month?

Yes. Two items a month is 24 a year, well over the 11 items at which a 12-month PPC starts to save money. The NHS Business Services Authority puts the saving at £123 a year for someone who needs two prescribed medicines each month, compared with paying £9.90 for every item.

What does the HRT prepayment certificate cover?

It covers an unlimited number of certain HRT medicines for 12 months, for a single payment of £19.80. Not every HRT medicine is included, so check the NHS Business Services Authority list before buying. It does not cover any other prescription items, and it cannot be refunded if your circumstances change.

Do I get free prescriptions when I turn 60?

Yes. In England, everyone aged 60 or over gets free NHS prescriptions automatically. You do not need to apply or carry a certificate. If your date of birth is printed on the prescription, you will not be asked for proof of age. Any medical exemption certificate you hold no longer needs renewing.

Do I need a PPC in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

No. Prescriptions are free in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and in Wales for patients registered with a Welsh GP who use a Welsh pharmacy. The prescription charge and the PPC apply to prescriptions dispensed in England. An English prescription taken to a Scottish pharmacy is still charged at the English rate unless you are exempt.

Related guides

Sources