The Department of Health and Social Care has announced the new NHS prescription charges in England.
From 1 April 2023, the NHS prescription charge will rise to £9.65. The cost of an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) will be:
- £31.25 for 3 months
- £111.60 for 12 months (patients can spread the cost and pay in 10 monthly instalments)
The cost of an NHS Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) PPC will be £19.30.
People who pay for their NHS prescriptions could save with a PPC. Rather than paying £9.65 for each prescription, the 3 and 12 month PPC covers unlimited NHS prescriptions for the one-off set price. This means if people need 4 or more items in 3 months, or 12 or more items in 12 months they will save money by buying a PPC. How much they can save depends on the number of prescriptions they need each month.
The quickest way to buy a 3 or 12 month PPC is online at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc.
The HRT PPC will be available from 1 April 2023. For more information visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc.
Before buying a PPC, patients should check if they are entitled to free NHS prescriptions and other help with health costs at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check.