NHS prescription charges, free prescriptions and prepayment certificates

Written and reviewed by the UK Hospitals editorial team
Last reviewed: 22 October 2026 · Next review due: 22 April 2027

This guide brings together information from the NHS and other official sources, listed at the end of the page. It is not medical advice.

In England, most adults pay a charge for each item on an NHS prescription. Some people get their prescriptions free. If you need a lot of medicines, a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) can save you money.

How the prescription charge works

You pay per item, not per prescription
£9.90£9.90£9.903 medicines means 3 charges

The NHS prescription charge in England is £9.90 for each item (checked on 22 October 2026). You pay per item, not per prescription. If your prescription lists 3 medicines, you pay the charge 3 times.

Some items are always free, such as contraception and medicines given to you while you are a hospital inpatient.

Most prescriptions can be used for 6 months from the date a doctor or nurse signs them. Prescriptions for most controlled drugs, such as morphine, can only be used for 28 days.

Who can get free prescriptions

Whether you get free prescriptions depends on things like your age, any health conditions you have and your income. The quickest way to find out is to use the NHS eligibility checker. Read more about checking if you can get free prescriptions on the NHS website.

In England you get free prescriptions if you:

  • are under 16
  • are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
  • are 60 or over
  • are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx). Ask your midwife, doctor or health visitor to apply for you.
  • have a medical condition that qualifies, and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx). Ask your GP or doctor for the form.
  • are having treatment for cancer, the effects of cancer or the effects of cancer treatment, and have a valid medical exemption certificate
  • have a valid war pension exemption certificate, for prescriptions for your accepted disability
  • have an HC2 certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme

Conditions that qualify for a medical exemption certificate include diabetes (unless it is treated by diet alone), epilepsy that needs continuous treatment, an underactive thyroid that needs thyroid hormone, myasthenia gravis, Addison’s disease and some other conditions, a permanent stoma that needs an appliance, and a continuing physical disability that means you cannot go out without help. See medical exemption certificates on the NHS Business Services Authority website.

You may also get free prescriptions because of benefits:

  • If you or your partner get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, on its own or with Savings Credit, you get free prescriptions. Pension Credit Savings Credit on its own does not count. See free NHS prescriptions on the NHS Business Services Authority website.
  • New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance and New Style Employment and Support Allowance do not give you free prescriptions on their own.
  • If you get Universal Credit, you may get free prescriptions if your total take-home pay in your last assessment period was below a set limit.
  • If you are on a low income, you can apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme. It may give you an HC2 certificate (full help) or an HC3 certificate (help with part of the cost).

When you say you do not need to pay, the pharmacy may ask for proof. This could be a PPC, a benefit award notice or an exemption certificate.

Save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)

A PPC covers all your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, however many items you need. It does not cover other health items such as wigs.

PPC options in England (prices checked on 22 October 2026)
  • 3 months£32.05Saves money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months
  • 12 months£114.50Saves money if you need more than 11 items in a year
  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)£19.80Saves money if you need more than 2 qualifying HRT items in a year

You can buy a PPC online from the NHS Business Services Authority, or by calling the PPC order line on 0300 330 1341. Some pharmacies can sell you a 3-month PPC or the HRT PPC.

A PPC is valid from the day you apply, unless you choose another start date. If you have to pay for prescriptions while you wait for it, ask the pharmacist for an NHS receipt (FP57) so you can claim the money back.

Check whether you can get free prescriptions before you buy a PPC.

If you are not sure whether you need to pay

Not sure if you need to pay?
  1. Pay the chargePay first
  2. Ask for FP57You cannot get this form later
  3. Claim the refundWithin 3 months of paying

Pay the charge first. When you pay, ask the pharmacy for an FP57 receipt and refund form. You cannot get this form later. Once you know you were entitled to free prescriptions, you can claim a refund.

If you apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme, you can claim refunds at the same time. Refund claims must reach the NHS within 3 months of the date you paid.

If you claim free prescriptions wrongly

It is your responsibility to check you are entitled before you tick a box to say you do not need to pay. The NHS checks prescriptions that were not paid for and may ask you for proof later.

If you claimed wrongly, you will have to pay the charge and may have to pay a penalty of up to £100. You could also be prosecuted.

Many pharmacies can also help with minor illnesses without a GP appointment. See NHS Pharmacy First.

Find a pharmacy open near you

Charges can change, so check the current amount before you pay. This guide gives general information, not financial or medical advice. Read more about NHS prescription charges on the NHS website.

Sources

We checked this guide against these official pages on 22 October 2026.

Spotted something out of date? Tell us.