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Top 5 recession-busting tips on prescription medicines
Prescription charges cost £7.85 per item in England.
Here are 5 top tips from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to save you money and get you the
best advice when buying medicines.
Tip 1. Prepay and save money
If you regularly pay for prescriptions you should consider buying a Prescription Prepayment
Certificate, which covers all of your NHS prescriptions for either three months or a year.
You can buy a three-month Prepayment Certificate for £29.10. This will work out cheaper if
you need four or more items in three months, rather than paying for a separate prescription
every time.
Alternatively, you can buy a 12-month version for £104. This will work out cheaper if you
need 14 or more items a year and means you get your medicines for around £2 per week.
How much can I save?
Number of prescribed
medicines you need
each month
2
3
4
Saving with a 12-month
PPC
Saving with a threemonth PPC
Over £80 a year
Over £175 a year
Over £270 a year
Over £15 in three months
Over £40 in three months
Over £65 in three months
The easiest way to get a certificate is via this website. You can pay by credit card or, to
help spread the cost, direct debit. Forms are also available from some pharmacies.
Alternatively, call 0300 330 1341.
Tip 2. It may be cheaper to use over-the-counter alternatives
Your pharmacist can advise you if it is cheaper to purchase an over the counter alternative to
your prescribed medicine. Some prescribed medicines, including painkillers, allergy tablets and
dermatology creams, are also available over-the-counter without prescription.
However, if you have to buy medicines over a set period, it is often cheaper to get a single
prescription from your doctor that covers the whole period that you need, instead of buying a
pack of the medicine each week or month over-the-counter. It’s best to ask your pharmacist
for advice to see if you can save money or not.
Patron: Her Majesty The Queen
Chief Executive: Helen Gordon
Tip 3. Check out the NHS Low Income Scheme for help with health costs
If you are on a low income you may be eligible to receive financial help through the NHS Low
Income Scheme. To apply for a certificate, you should complete form HC1, which is available
from Jobcentre Plus offices or most NHS hospitals. Your doctor, dentist or optician may be
able to give you one, too. You can also get an HC1 form by calling 0845 610 1112.
Whether you qualify for help is based on a comparison between your weekly income and
assessed requirements at the time the claim is made. For more information about
requirements visit NHS: help with health costs.
Phone 0300 330 1343 for the Low Income Scheme helpline.
Tip 4. You may be eligible for free prescriptions
The following factors qualify you for free prescriptions:
- If your medicine is both prescribed and dispensed in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
- If you are under 16 or over 60
- If you are in full time education and are aged between 16 and 18 years old
- If you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
- If you or your partner receive Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance,
Income-related Employment & Support Allowance, or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- If you have a war pension exemption certificate
- If you have a valid Medical Exemption Certificate (given for a range of illnesses, e.g. epilepsy,
cancer, severe disability).
Proof of exemption may be required when you have your prescription dispensed at the
pharmacy.
Tip 5. Talk to your pharmacist
You can talk to a pharmacist about any aspect of your medicines. You don’t need to make an
appointment and the vast majority now have a private consultation area where you won’t be
overheard. High street pharmacies are usually open evenings and weekends so you can go
along at a time that’s convenient to you.
Find out more about help with your health costs or take a look at this NHS booklet.