NHS prescription charges will rise on 1 May 2024
From 1st May 2024, the NHS prescription charge will increase to £9.90 per prescription item. For prescriptions dispensed in April 2024, the NHS prescription charge will remain at £9.65.
NHS prescription charges are a tax collected for the Government in England. The money collected does not help to fund the pharmacy and is unrelated to the cost of your medicine(s). Some items may have more than one charge.
If you need multiple prescription items or are prescribed certain HRT medicines, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) could save you money. The cost of a three-month PPC will become £32.05, whilst a 12-month PPC is increasing to £114.50. PPCs offer savings for those needing any four or more prescription items in three months, or 12 or more items in a year. The more specific HRT PPC will also increase to £19.80. Note, this PPC can only be used when a patient is prescribed a listed HRT medicine.
Prescription charge type | Previous charge (up to 30th April 2024) | New charge (1st May 2024 onwards) | Increase of |
Single charge (per prescription item) | £9.65 | £9.90 | £0.25 |
HRT PPC (valid for 12 months) | £19.30 | £19.80 | £0.50 |
3-month PPC | £31.25 | £32.05 | £0.80 |
12-month PPC | £111.60 | £114.50 | £2.90 |
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Certain patient groups are entitled to free NHS prescriptions and certain items (e.g. contraceptives) are free-of-charge on the NHS. To check if you’re eligible for free NHS prescriptions, visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/healthcosts