Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions
Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs). The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.
Current Prescription Charge - £9.00 per item
Prescription Prepayment Certificates
If you know you'll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). A PPC covers all of your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need.
There are two PPC options to choose from:
For more information or to order your PPC click this link.
Medical Exemptions
People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if:
Medical exemption certificates are issued on application to people who have:
a permanent fistula (for example, a caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or requiring an appliance
a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
hypoparathyroidism
myasthenia gravis
myxoedema (hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)
epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
a continuing physical disability that means the person can't go out without the help of another person – temporary disabilities don't count, even if they last for several months
They are also issued for people undergoing treatment for cancer:
How to apply for a medical exemption certificate…
Ask our reception team or your doctor for an FP92A form to apply for a medical exemption certificate. Your GP will sign the form to confirm that your statement is correct.
For more information on this click this link.