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:

• 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:

• 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.