How much is an NHS prescription in England?

England is the only UK nation that charges for most NHS prescriptions. From 1 April 2026 the single-item charge remains £9.90 — frozen for a second year. If your prescription lists three medicines, you pay £9.90 three times (£29.70) unless you hold a valid exemption or prepayment certificate.

A three-month prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) costs £32.05 and an annual PPC costs £114.50 for 2026/27. If you need more than three items in three months, or more than twelve in a year, a PPC is cheaper than paying per item. A separate HRT PPC covers listed hormone replacement medicines for £19.80 a year.

Prescriptions are always free for certain items regardless of income — including NHS contraceptives, medication for hospital inpatients, and medicines administered at a GP surgery. For everything else, check whether you qualify for a full exemption before paying at the pharmacy.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland abolished prescription charges, so residents there pay nothing at the pharmacy. In England, use the NHS Business Services Authority 'Check before you tick' tool to confirm eligibility for free prescriptions before claiming — wrongly claiming risks a penalty charge of up to five times the prescription cost.