Prescription Charges in England Rise Again

Remember that a three month prescription prepayment certificate is available for £29.10, and a twelve month certificate for £104.

Prescription charges rose again on 1st April 2019, increasing by 20p from £8.80 to £9 per item. When you have a chronic condition like psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, the cost of prescription medications can soon mount up, and this will be made worse by the latest price hike.

If you're under 16, or aged 16-18 and in full time education, you're entitled to free NHS prescriptions. However, if you're over 16 and not in full time education, you may wish to think about purchasing a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). A PPC lets you get as many NHS prescriptions as you need for a set price. If you regularly pay prescription charges, a PPC could save you money.

Currently, a three month PPC is available for £29.10, while a twelve month PPC costs £104. If you need even two prescribed medicines each month, you could save more than £20 in three months with a three month PPC, or more than £110 over the course of a year with a 12 month PPC.

There are a number of ways that you can purchase a PPC. You can buy online on the NHS Business Services Authority website, over the phone by calling 0300 330 1341, or by visiting a pharmacy which is registered to sell PPCs online. You can pay by Direct Debit or card (online or by telephone), or in full at a registered pharmacy.

For further information about PPCs, please click here

Find out if you're entitled to free NHS prescriptions here