Prescription costs

Prescriptions in England Back to top

People with cancer in England are eligible for free NHS prescriptions.

All people undergoing treatment for cancer, or the effects of cancer or its treatment, can apply for an exemption certificate by collecting form FP92A from their GP surgery or oncology clinic.

You also qualify for free NHS prescriptions if:

• you’re 60 or over
• you’re under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education
• you’re an NHS hospital inpatient
• you’re pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
• you receive a valid war pension and need prescriptions for your war injury
• your weekly income is low enough (see details of the Low Income Scheme)
• you’re included in an award of: Income Support; the guarantee element of Pension Credit; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance; or are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax exemption certificate.

You can also get free prescriptions if you have:

• a long-term physical disability that prevents you from leaving your home without the help of another person
• a permanent fistula, such as a caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy, which needs continuous dressing or an appliance
• epilepsy that needs continuous anti-convulsive therapy
• diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet only
• diabetes insipidus and other kinds of hypopituitarism
• myxoedema
• hypoparathyroidism
• myasthenia gravis
• a form of hypoadrenalism (for example Addison’s disease), for which specific substitution therapy is essential.

You’ll need to show your pharmacist proof that you qualify for free prescriptions.

How can I apply?

If you have any of the above medical conditions, ask your doctor to fill in form FP92A (England only).

Prescription Prepayment Certificate

If you don’t qualify for free prescriptions, consider buying a Prescription Prepayment Certificate for three months or a year.

It will save you money if you need more than four prescriptions in three months or more than 14 prescribed items in one year.

The charge for a single prescription item is £7.85. For items prescribed in combination/duo packs, there’s a prescription charge for each different drug in the pack.

A Prescription Prepayment Certificate for three months costs £29.10, and a Prescription Prepayment Certificate for 12 months costs £104.

How can I apply?

You can buy a certificate over the phone using a recognised credit or debit card. Phone the Prescription Pricing Authority on 0845 850 0030. You can also buy the certificate online from nhsbsa.nhs.uk| If you’d prefer to spread the cost out, you can pay for the certificate by direct debit over 10 monthly payments.

You’ll need to show your pharmacist your Prescription Prepayment Certificate when you collect your prescription.

Prescriptions in Scotland Back to top

Prescriptions in Scotland have been free since April 2011. 

Prescriptions in Wales Back to top

All prescriptions are free in Wales.

Prescriptions in Northern Ireland Back to top

Health Service (HS) prescriptions are free for everyone in Northern Ireland. This includes medication, wigs and surgical appliances.