The latest announcement from the government could ease the cost of living struggle for millions of people
A GP writing a prescription.(Image: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
On Monday, the government announced that NHS prescription charges in England will be frozen for the first time in three years.
The move will save patients around £18 million next year – keeping prescriptions under the cost of a tenner, at £9.90 for a single charge.
The freeze comes weeks after the government agreed record investment for community pharmacies to fund local services for patients.
Three-month and annual prescriptions prepayment certificates will also be frozen for 2025/26, keeping the cost at £32.05 and £114.50 respectively.
Annual charges can now be made in instalments, meaning those requiring regular medicines will be able to get them for just over £2 a week – further easing the financial impact on households.
Those who are already exempt from paying for their NHS prescriptions will remain so.
The six groups of people who are entitled to free prescriptions are:
- Children under 16 and those in full-time education aged 16-18
- Pregnant women and those who have had a baby in the last 12 months
- People with specified medical conditions like diabetes or cancer and have valid exemption certificates
- Those receiving qualifying benefits including Universal Credit (with criteria)
If you fall into any of the categories listed above, you should provide proof of your exemption to the pharmacy staff when you present your prescription.
This proof could be a valid exemption certificate (e.g., medical exemption, war pension exemption, etc.) or a valid NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC).
The pharmacy staff will check your exemption status against their records. If they can verify your exemption, they will dispense the medication without charging you.
If you initially paid for a prescription but are later found to be eligible for free prescriptions, you can claim a refund within three months of the payment date.
You can determine your eligibility by on the NHSBSA website.
If you don’t already have an exemption certificate but feel you may be entitled to one, speak to your GP or doctor. They’ll give you an application form.
You’ll get a certificate in the post within 10 working days of the NHS receiving your application.
You can buy a PPC here.