What is a NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)?
If you have several regular prescriptions, and have to pay for them, it is usually cheaper to use a NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC): https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/prescription-prepayment-certificates-ppcs
These cost £114.50 per year and can save you a lot of money. Why? It covers all your tablets, no matter how many you are on.
Whereas, if you pay for each prescription, it is currently £9.90 per item and many GPs will only prescribe 2 months worth.
But. It is complicated and its partly determined by how many tablets you are on and the duration that your GP is willing to prescribe.
Who can get free prescriptions in the UK?
Medical prescriptions are free in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They are also free for people in England who meet certain criteria, including people who are:
- Under 16 or over 60 years
- Receiving Income Support, JSA, ESA or Universal Credit
- Pregnant
- 16-18 years and in full-time education
- And/or have certain health conditions – including a continuing disability, dialysis or diabetes that needs insulin or tablets to control it.
There is more information on CKDEx here: who is eligible for free prescriptions?
Summary
We have described what is a NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) – and how to reduce the cost of your prescriptions. We hope it has been helpful.
