If you live in England, there are four ways you can buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC):
- Online: complete and submit a PPC (FP95) application form on the NHS Business Services Authority website and pay by debit or credit card.
- By phone: order your PPC by calling their advice and order phone line on 0845 850 0030, and pay by debit or credit card.
- By post: pick up an FP95 application form from any GP surgery or pharmacy or download and print the form. Send the completed form with your cheque, postal order, credit card or debit card details to the address shown on the form.
- At a registered pharmacy: you can buy a PPC at a registered pharmacy using the FP95 application form (see above). Check if your pharmacist is registered. You don’t need to complete payment details on the form, as you can pay the pharmacy direct.
Your PPC will be valid from the date you buy it, unless you ask for a different start date. The start date can be up to one month earlier or one month later than the date you buy the PPC.
If you’re buying a 12-month PPC, you can pay over 10 months using a direct debit payment scheme. This will help you to spread the cost.
How much does a PPC cost?
You can buy a PPC that lasts for three months or for 12 months. From 1 April 2013:
- a three-month PPC costs £29.10
- a 12-month PPC costs £104
What if I need a prescription now?
If you have to pay for a prescription before your PPC arrives, you can claim a refund of this charge later.
When you pay for the prescription, ask your pharmacist to give you an NHS receipt (FP57). It’s important to remember to get an FP57 at the time, as your pharmacist can’t give you one later.
Keep your FP57: it tells you how to claim a refund.
You can claim a refund of prescription charges up to three months after you pay them.
Read the answers to more questions about medicines.
Further information:
