Prescription regulars across the nation are being advised of the potential for colossal savings by subscribing to an NHS initiative. The financial guru, Martin Lewis and his team at MoneySavingExpert.com, highlighted the concerning trend that up to 900,000 patients are reportedly overlooking significant savings as per recent analysis.

The NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) system is crafted to support England’s patients in reducing their medication expenses. An NHS PPC operates much like a prepaid card, presenting it to your pharmacist allows you to collect necessary medications without the per-item charge.

With each prescription in England carrying a fee of £9.90, individuals often find themselves footing the bill for multiple items concurrently. Urging awareness, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis expressed: “We need to spread the word to anyone in England who regularly gets prescriptions – including some with chronic illnesses – to check out prepayment certificates.”

He strongly advises acting promptly to secure these savings: “And do it sooner rather than later. Doing it now would mean you pay less for longer. My simple rule of thumb is if you get more than one prescription a month on average, a prepayment certificate is the cheapest option as it caps what you pay. They give you unlimited prescriptions for either three months or a year. For someone using an average of two prescriptions a month, it’d be a £120 saving and it’d reduce the worry if you needed more, as you wouldn’t have to shell out more.”

According to the NHS, approximately 872,000 patients could have potentially saved around £35 million (£41 each on average) in 2023/24 by purchasing a 12-month Prepayment Certificate (PPC). There are two prepayment options available and once purchased, it covers all your prescriptions for that period, reports the Liverpool Echo.

For the first time since 2022, prices will remain unchanged for 2025 and are listed below.

• Three-month prepayment certificate – £32.05
• 12-month prepayment certificate – £114.50

There’s also a specific PPC for hormone replacement therapy:

12-month HRT prepayment certificate – £19.80

Someone who gets two prescriptions each month for 12 months would save more than £100, compared with paying for individual prescriptions. See our table below for more help comparing costs.

Apply via the NHS Prescriptions site. You can pay by card, or by direct debit if you’d prefer to spread the cost. Forms are also available at certain pharmacies, or alternatively call 0300 330 1341.

Applications can be made via the NHS Prescriptions site. Payments can be made by card, or by direct debit if you wish to spread the cost.

Forms are also available at certain pharmacies, or alternatively, you can call 0300 330 1341.

Before you apply for your PPC

One thing to make sure of before you apply for your NHS prepayment certificate is that you are not already entitled to free prescriptions.

Prescriptions are free to all residents of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They are also free to anyone under 16 or over 60 (or between 16 and 18 and in full-time education). Patients with certain medical conditions or disabilities can also benefit from free prescriptions, as can people on a low income or specific benefits.

Applying for a PPC

Online
The easiest way to get your NHS prepayment certificate is to apply online, click here to find out more.

By post
You can also apply for your certificate through the post. Download the FP95 form here, or pick one up in a pharmacy or doctor’s surgery. You should fill out the form and send it to:

PPC
NHS Business Services Authority
152 Pilgrim Street
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 6SN

You can pay by cheque or postal order, or set up a Direct Debit if you are applying for the 12-month certificate.

On the phone
To apply for your certificate over the phone, call this number: 0300 330 1341. You’ll need a bank card to hand to arrange payment.

In a pharmacy

If you would rather apply for your certificate in person, you can go into a participating pharmacy with the FP95 application form. If you choose to do this you will have to pay at the till, and will not be able to opt for the 12-month Direct Debit.