Prescription Costs
Prescribed medicines are free to those living in Wales. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland however, patients need to pay for their prescriptions. The price of a prescription differs in each country, ranging between five and seven pounds. See Prescription Charges for more details.
If you pay for four or more prescription items in four months (or three months in England), or fifteen or more items within twelve months, then you could save money by purchasing a Pre-Payment Certificate (PPC). These certificates entitle you to as many prescriptions as you need over the relevant time period; you do not need to pay for each prescription individually, you need only show your certificate at the pharmacy. The certificate is a small credit card-sized card, which details your name and the dates between which the certificate is valid.
You can apply for a replacement PPC in advance, when you know that your certificate will soon expire. If you have already applied for a replacement certificate, and are waiting for it to arrive, you may be entitled to a refund of any prescription charges you are required to pay in the meantime. If you fail to apply for a new PPC in advance, you may not be entitled to this refund: you will have to cover individual prescription costs until your new certificate arrives.
PPCs can be purchased in England by contacting the prescription pricing division of the NHS; they can be reached by telephone on 0845 850 0030, or via their website ppa.org.uk. You may also be able to purchase a PPC from a local pharmacy. You will need to fill out an application form, the FP95, and pay the relevant fee. The pharmacy will inform the prescription pricing division, who will send you your certificate in the post.
In Northern Ireland, PPCs should be available from your pharmacist. In Scotland, you can also purchase a Pre-Payment Certificate from most pharmacies. Alternatively, you can apply for a PPC by post, by filling out an EC95 application form. This form is much the same as the FP95 application form, available in England.
In order to purchase a PPC, you may need to fill out a FP95 form. This form is available from most pharmacies in the UK, and explains how you can apply for, and pay for, a PPC. It reminds you that some people are automatically entitled to free prescriptions, including anyone under sixteen or over sixty years old: see Prescription Charges for more details. The FP95 form is a short questionnaire which asks you for information including your name, address, telephone number, date of birth, and previous PPC number if applicable. It also asks for your card details if you are paying by debit or credit card, and gives you details of how to pay by cheque. You will need to sign and date the form before it can be processed.
