Prescription Fees
Help with NHS costs
In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those on low incomes, 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
NHS Charges
These charges apply in England only.
| Prescription charge type | Previous charge (up to 31st March 2023) | New charge (1st April 2023 onwards) | Increase of |
| Single charge (per prescription item) | £9.65 | £9.65 | £0.30 |
| HRT PPC (valid for 12 months) | N/A | £19.30 | N/A |
| 3-month PPC | £31.25 | £31.25 | £1.00 |
| 12-month PPC | £111.60 | £111.60 | £3.50 |
If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.
- Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
- https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/buy-prescription-prepayment-certificate/start
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.