Some people are entitled to free prescriptions due to their age, income or medical condition. You are eligible for free NHS prescriptions if you:
- are 60 or over
- are under 16
- are 16-18 and in full-time education
- have a medical exemption certificate because your condition is on the list, you or your partner are on income support or you can qualify via other benefits or tax credits
To find out if you’re eligible for free prescriptions, read our information on help with health costs.
Save money on your prescription costs
If you can't get free prescriptions, there is a way to save money.
A Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) is a kind of prescription charge season ticket. It covers you for all of your own NHS prescription charges, not matter how many items you need.
The charge for a single prescription is £7.65, whereas a three-month PPC will cost you £29.10 and a 12-month PPC is £104.00. To help spread the cost of a 12-month certificate you can pay by direct debit with 10 monthly instalments.
It's easy to buy a PPC. You can:
- buy online
- or by phone on 0845 850 0030
- or by filling in form FP95 which you can get from your pharmacy
- or some phamacies sell them
NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)
This scheme can help you with NHS costs such as dental treatment, eyesight tests and the cost of travel to NHS appointments. If you are on a low income, you can get help here.
