With the cost of living crisis continuing to squeeze household budgets, and disabled people potentially facing a future without PIP, every penny counts. To assist individuals in saving money where it’s most crucial, Superdrug’s Pharmacy Superintendent has revealed her top “money-saving hacks” for reducing prescription costs.

Niamh McMillan advised: “One of the easiest ways to save money on private prescriptions is by choosing generic medications instead of their branded equivalents. The generic medication normally has the same ingredients and therefore offers the same benefits, at a fraction of the cost. Most pharmacies offer a wide selection of generic medication, meaning the patient can often switch to a more affordable alternative, without having to sacrifice on quality or effectiveness.”

Being organised with your medications can also pay off in an unexpected way, The pharmacist explained: “Managing prescriptions carefully can help avoid unnecessary refills and can also help reduce costs.

“Talk to your pharmacist to ensure you are taking the right medication at the correct dosage, to help prevent waste. Superdrug’s Pharmacy app helps patients to be more organised, allowing them to order repeat NHS prescriptions and set medication reminders.”

Many people may be paying for their prescriptions unnecessarily. Certain people, conditions and medications are provided free of charge in England.

This includes items such as birth control pills, individuals over the age of 60, those on certain income-based benefits, and individuals with medical exemption certificates. This certificate is given to people with specific conditions like diabetes or cancer.

McMillan added: “Check with your Pharmacy team whether you qualify (for free prescriptions). They can also guide you through the application process.”

The pharmacist explained that this is different from another NHS scheme: “A Prescription Prepayment Certificate, otherwise referred to as a PPC, is a cost-effective way to manage NHS prescription costs for those living in England, who require multiple medications. By paying a one-time fee, individuals can get unlimited prescriptions for a set period, usually 3 or 12 months, potentially saving significant money.

These certificates only save money if you have a certain amount of prescription medication that you pay for. For those with two prescribed items per month, this could result in a yearly saving of £120, while individuals with four or more prescribed items per month may save over £350.

McMillan continued: “A PPC can reduce the burden of individual NHS prescription charges, ensuring continued access to necessary treatments without the worry of additional costs each time. This is especially beneficial for people on long-term NHS medication, or with chronic conditions.”