![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_mart1PNG.png\")
Martin Lewis said: ‘We need to spread the word to anyone in England'(Image: ITV)<\/p>\nMSE site issues alert that up to 900,000 people who get NHS prescriptions from pharmacies are missing out<\/p>\n
13:39, 07 May 2025Updated 14:22, 07 May 2025<\/p>\n
Martin Lewis said: ‘We need to spread the word to anyone in England'(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n
Anyone who regularly gets a prescription is being told they could be making a huge saving by signing up to an NHS scheme. Martin Lewis\u2019 MSE site today flagged up<\/a> the fact that almost 900,000 patients could be missing out according to analysis.<\/p>\n The NHS prescription prepayment scheme<\/a> was established as a way of helping patients in England save money on the cost of their prescriptions. An NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) is essentially a prepaid card, which you can show to the pharmacist when you go to collect your prescription medication.<\/p>\n In England a prescription it costs \u00a39.90 a time and sometimes people will have to pay for multiple items at the same time. Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, said: \u201cWe need to spread the word to anyone in England who regularly gets prescriptions \u2013 including some with chronic illnesses \u2013 to check out prepayment certificates.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd do it sooner rather than later. Doing it now would mean you pay less for longer. My simple rule of thumb is if you get more than one prescription a month on average, a prepayment certificate is the cheapest option as it caps what you pay. They give you unlimited prescriptions for either three months or a year. For someone using an average of two prescriptions a month, it\u2019d be a \u00a3120 saving and it\u2019d reduce the worry if you needed more, as you wouldn\u2019t have to shell out more.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the NHS, an estimated 872,000 patients could potentially have saved around \u00a335 million (\u00a341 each on average) in 2023\/24 by purchasing a 12-month PPC. There are two prepayment options \u2013 once you\u2019ve got one, it covers all your prescriptions in that time. For the first time since 2022, prices are frozen for 2025 and listed below.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a PPC specifically for hormone replacement therapy:<\/p>\n 12-month HRT prepayment certificate – \u00a319.80<\/p>\n Someone who gets two prescriptions each month for 12 months would save more than \u00a3100, compared with paying for individual prescriptions. See our table below for more help comparing costs.<\/p>\n Apply via the NHS Prescriptions site. You can pay by card, or by direct debit if you\u2019d prefer to spread the cost. Forms are also available at certain pharmacies, or alternatively call 0300 330 1341.<\/p>\n Before you apply for your PPC<\/p>\n One thing to make sure of before you apply for your NHS prepayment certificate is that you are not already entitled to free prescriptions<\/a>.<\/p>\n Prescriptions are free to all residents of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They are also free to anyone under 16 or over 60 (or between 16 and 18 and in full-time education). Patients with certain medical conditions or disabilities can also benefit from free prescriptions, as can people on a low income or specific benefits.<\/p>\n Applying for a PPC<\/p>\n Online<\/strong>The easiest way to get your NHS prepayment certificate is to apply online, click here <\/a>to find out more.<\/p>\n\n