Are you one of millions paying too much for NHS prescriptions? How to pay less or even get them free
PRESCRIPTIONS in England cost £9.65 per item.
For a one-off ailment, this flat fee doesn't seem like that much. But for people who take medication regularly, the cost can really add up fast.
Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can save money.
From prescription 'season tickets' to benefit and age exemptions - check if you could be eligible for free or reduced prescriptions below.
1. Free eligibility
Depending on your circumstances, you may automatically qualify for free prescriptions.
Currently, they are available to anyone who:
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- Is aged under 16 or over 59
- Is aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education
- Is pregnant or gave birth in the last 12 months (and has a valid maternity exemption certificate - MatEx)
- Has a medical exemption certificate (MedEx) for a range of illnesses, including epilepsy, cancer, severe disability
- Has a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
- Is an NHS inpatient
This may also mean you're eligible for other free NHS services, such as eye tests, dental check-ups and wigs.
2. Benefits
You can also get free prescriptions if you or your partner are claiming certain benefits, or if you're aged under 20 and dependent on someone claiming certain benefits.
This includes:
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- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit and meet the criteria
If you are entitled to an , you can also get free prescriptions.
To get one of these, you need to qualify for child tax credits or working tax credits (including a disability or severe disability element) and have an income of less than £15,276 a year.
3. NHS Low Income Scheme
If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the Low Income Scheme (LIS).
This covers prescriptions, dental care, eye care, travel-related healthcare, wigs and fabric support.
You can apply for the scheme as long as your savings, investments or property (not including where you live) do not exceed the capital limit.
In England, this is £23,250 for people who live permanently in a care home (rising to £100,000 in October 2025), and £16,000 for everyone else.
Any help you're entitled to is also available to your partner and any dependant young people.
Depending on your circumstances, you can receive full help (HC2 certificate) or partial help (HC3 certificate).
You are assessed based on your weekly income, requirements, council tax and housing costs.
4. Minor Ailments Scheme
If you or your child has a minor health complaint - like a cough, diarrhoea, eczema or head lice - and you don't pay for your prescriptions, you may also be able to get free treatments through the NHS Minor Ailments Scheme without seeing a GP.
It's not available everywhere as it's run by the NHS at a local level, but it's a great way to potentially save some money.
You likely won't get branded drugs like Calpol or Nurofen, but the unbranded equivalents do the same job.
Illnesses supported by the scheme will vary between locations, but generally, it covers:
- Back ache, sprains and strains
- Colds
- Conjunctivitis
- Constipation
- Coughs
- Diarrhoea
- Earache
- Haemorrhoids
- Hay fever
- Head lice
- Headache and fever
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Insect bites and stings
- Mild eczema and dermatitis
- Minor fungal skin infections
- Mouth ulcers
- Nappy rash
- Sore throat
- Teething
- Threadworm
- Thrush
Speak to your pharmacist to see if it's available in your area.
5. Free medications
But even if you don't fit into any of the categories above, you may still be able to get your medication free of charge.
Eligible prescriptions include:
- Contraception
- Medication while you are an inpatient in an NHS hospital
- Medicines given at NHS clinics or hospitals to treat tuberculosis
- Medicines to treat mental health problems for people with a supervised community treatment order given at an NHS clinic or hospital
- Medication to treat a sexually transmitted infection
6. Prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)
And if you don't qualify for free prescriptions, there are still ways to save a decent chunk of cash.
A prescription prepayment certificate (PCC) is useful if you pay for several as it acts like a season ticket.
A three-month PPC costs £31.25 and will save you money if you need more than three prescribed items in three months.
A 12-month PPC costs £111.60 and is a way to cut your spending if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year.
Both cover as many prescriptions as you need in the period you pay for and are worthwhile if you're going to buy four or more prescriptions in three months or 12 or more in 12 months.
You can pay in 10 monthly instalments if you buy a 12-month PPC.
PPCs are available on the and by calling 0300 330 1341.
7. Hormone replacement therapy PPC
If you take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), you are also eligible for a PPC - but it works slightly differently to the ones above.
An HRT PPC costs £19.30 for 12 months and covers all HRT prescriptions for that period, not matter how many different medicines you need.
You’ll save money if you’re going to buy more than two prescription items in 12 months.
A standard PPC will save you more than an HRT PPC if you get:
- Four or more items in a three-month period and at least two are not for eligible HRT medication
- 12 or more items in 12-month period and at least 10 are not for eligible HRT medication
You can buy HRT PPCs on the or by calling 0300 330 2089.
8. Shop around
Something everyone can do to potentially save on their prescriptions is shop around.
Just because you have been prescribed a medication, it doesn't mean that's how you have to buy it.
Some prescribed drugs are also sold over the counter, and they are often significantly cheaper than £9.65.
For example, own-brand painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen are available for as little as 39p for 16 tablets in Tesco and Aldi.
And a 500g tub of aqueous cream is available in Boots for £3.85, saving you £5.80 compared to the same product on prescription.
If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist if a lower cost, generic version of your medication is on offer.
9. Ask for a bigger prescription
Doctors will often automatically write out prescriptions for small amounts.
But you could make savings by getting them in bulk.
If you need a lot of medication, such antihistamines for hay fever for the spring and summer, ask your GP to issue you a prescription for three months.
Then, you'll pay just once rather than three times.
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This won't be possible for all medications, as some could be dangerous if overused or need regular check-ups, but it is worth asking.
For more information on getting help with your prescription costs and to find out what you are eligible for, use the NHS' .