06 October 2023 , 20:04
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Millions of patients are missing out on cheap NHS prescriptions because they have no idea they qualify for discounts, new data shows.
NHS England figures reveal 2.7 million people eligible for money off the current prescription charge of almost £10 per item are not applying and could be paying hundreds of pounds more than they need to each year. England is the only country in the UK that still charges people for NHS prescriptions, with devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all ditching fees over a decade ago.
Campaigners have long called the charges for drugs like warfarin or asthma inhalers an “unfair tax on health”. NHS England offers patients getting more than one monthly medicine a multi-buy discount that caps their costs but many elderly and vulnerable patients are unaware such schemes exist.
The NHS is today launching an appeal with the Mirror for readers to check if they can get cheaper or free medicines. Prof Bola Owolabi, NHS England’s director for health inequalities, told the Mirror: “The NHS is working hard to remove barriers for people to get the care they need, including ensuring that those with long-term conditions such as asthma, sickle cell disorder or Parkinson’s make use of support available when getting their prescriptions.
“With millions of people missing out on free or discounted prescriptions, the NHS is launching a campaign to ensure people are getting the support they need to stay well. If you have a long-term condition and think you might be eligible for free prescriptions, please use our online resource to check whether you are.
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“Even if you’re not you may be able to save hundreds of pounds a year with a prescription prepayment certificate.” Data for 2022/23 obtained from the NHS Business Services Authority shows 6.2 million people in England claim discounted or free prescriptions.
Just 2.3 million are claiming the discount offered to regular medication users via a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) - less than half of the number who could benefit. NHS data suggests a further 2.7 million people could pay less for the medication by applying for a PPC rather than paying the full prescription charge each time.
It comes as a Healthwatch survey found one in ten people in England have avoided getting medicine they had been prescribed because of the cost. The prescription fee went up 30p in April to £9.65, having increased from £8.05 in 2014.
What is the Prescription Prepayment Certificate?
Patients living with multiple health conditions often spend a significant proportion of their income on medication each month. The Prescription Prepayment Certificate is intended to lift some of the financial burden from such patients.
However, millions are unaware it exists and that they could benefit. A PPC could save you money if you pay for more than three prescription items in a three month period, or more than 11 items during a year. A PPC costs £31.25 for 3 months or £111.60 for 12 months.
Who else can get discounted or free prescriptions in England?
Free prescriptions are on offer for anyone aged over 60, under 16 or between 16 and 18 if they are in full time education. Pregnant women or those with infants aged under 12 months qualify for a maternity exemption certificate (matex).
Around two million people also claim a MedEx certificates for certain conditions such as those that require regular wound dressing. More than half a million people are getting free prescriptions via the Tax Credit Exemption Certificate. Anyone who earns less than £15,276 a year will automatically receive this, as will anyone receiving Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit due to disability.
Visit to see if you could save money on your prescriptions.