The NHS is urging millions of Britons to check if they could save hundreds of pounds annually on prescription charges through a simple certificate scheme that many remain unaware of.
With prescription costs currently standing at £9.90 per item, regular medication users could be spending over £600 each year without realising they qualify for significant savings.
What is the Prescription Certificate Scheme?
The NHS offers two types of money-saving certificates that cap your prescription costs regardless of how many medications you require. The Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) allows patients to pay a fixed fee for either three months or twelve months of unlimited prescriptions.
At current rates, the three-month certificate costs £32.05 while the annual certificate is priced at £114.50 - potentially saving frequent prescription users hundreds of pounds annually.
Who Should Consider This Scheme?
This scheme is particularly beneficial for:
- People requiring regular monthly prescriptions
- Patients with chronic conditions needing multiple medications
- Those facing unexpected medical treatments
- Anyone prescribed more than one medication regularly
How to Check Eligibility and Apply
Applying for the certificate is straightforward through the NHS website, by telephone, or at most pharmacy counters. The scheme is available to all England residents regardless of income or medical condition.
Healthcare professionals emphasise that many people continue paying full prescription charges unnecessarily when they could be benefiting from this cost-saving scheme.
Additional Support Available
Beyond the certificate scheme, certain groups qualify for completely free prescriptions including:
- Children under 16 and young adults in full-time education
- People aged 60 and over
- Those with specific medical conditions
- Individuals receiving certain benefits
With healthcare costs rising, the NHS encourages everyone to review their prescription spending and explore whether they could benefit from these little-known savings opportunities.
