Over 900,000 People in England Overpay for NHS Prescriptions – Tips to Save Money Revealed

Money Saving Expert has issued a warning revealing that a staggering number of nearly one million individuals in England ended up overpaying for their NHS prescriptions during the 2022/23 period. The expert also shared valuable insights on how to efficiently save money on essential medications.

According to Money Saving Expert, a practical way to reduce prescription costs is by acquiring a ‘prescription prepayment certificate,’ which covers all prescriptions within a specific time frame for a fixed fee. Presently, a single prescription on the NHS costs £9.65, but opting for a three-month PPC can be more cost-effective at £31.25. Alternatively, an annual PPC is priced at £111.60, which can also be split into ten direct debit payments of £11.16 each. If an individual collects 12 or more prescriptions monthly, as highlighted by MSE, an annual PPC could lead to a minimum yearly saving of £4.20.

Moreover, opting for a three-month PPC could save £7.35 for those purchasing four or more prescriptions during the designated period, demonstrating that the potential savings increase as the number of prescriptions rises. MSE also cautioned that the prices of PPCs typically rise annually in April, emphasizing the importance of considering acquiring one before any price adjustments come into effect.

In reference to PPCs, renowned financial expert Martin Lewis commented, “We need to spread the word to anyone in England who regularly gets prescriptions – including some with chronic illnesses – to check out prepayment certificates. And do it sooner rather than later; there’s still a chance the price of these season tickets may rise in April. If so, 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.”

MSE further highlighted that certain individuals may be eligible for a payment exemption concerning their prescriptions, completely avoiding the associated costs. Eligibility for free prescriptions may apply to individuals under the age of 16, those aged between 16 and 18 in full-time education, individuals over the age of 60, expectant mothers or parents of infants under 12 months old, and those on specific benefits or with designated health conditions.

Notably, a Freedom of Information request by MSE revealed that in the twelve months leading up to April 2023, a staggering 952,874 individuals missed out on collective savings amounting to £39.5 million after paying for an average of 16 items without a prepaid certificate.