Help with prescription costs

Free prescriptions

The Prescription Pricing Authority   issues certificates entitling certain people to free NHS prescriptions, including :

• Maternity Exemption Certificates  for pregnant women and women who have given birth in the past 12 months

• Medical Exemption Certificates  for people who have certain medical conditions

• NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificates  for people who are entitled to certain tax credits

• HC2 Certificates  for people who are on low incomes, as part of the NHS Low Income Scheme

Other groups of people who may be entitled to financial help with their medication costs are listed below. The Department of Health guide to help with health costs   offers a more complete listing of what government assistance can be claimed towards healthcare and related costs. It also lets you know what to do if you are entitled to help.

• children and young people
• people aged 60 and over
• people receiving government benefits
• hospital patients (including outpatients), and Community Dental Service patients
• some war pensioners

If you need more information and guidance about free prescriptions, call the Freephone Adviceline on 0800 91 77 711.

Save money on prescriptions

People who buy medication regularly or in larger than usual quantities, but who are not entitled to free prescriptions, may find it cheaper to purchase a  Prescription Pre-payment Certificate . The certificates cover the cost of all NHS prescriptions for either four or 12 months.

Members of the public wishing to purchase or renew prescription prepayment certificates need to contact the Prescription Pricing Authority .

For further details and to find out how to apply for a certificate, see the PPA's Prescription Pre-payment Certificates page   .