What is an NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)?
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In short: A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) lets you pay a fixed upfront fee for unlimited NHS prescriptions in England for three or twelve months — £32.05 for three months or £114.50 for twelve months in 2026/27. It saves money if you need more than three items in three months or twelve in a year.
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Reviewed by Kaiser Khan
England charges £9.90 per prescribed item (2026/27). If you take regular medication — for example two monthly prescriptions — paying per item quickly exceeds the cost of a PPC. A three-month PPC costs £32.05 and covers any number of items in that period; an annual PPC costs £114.50 and covers twelve months of prescriptions.
You can buy a PPC online from the NHS Business Services Authority, by phone on 0300 330 1341, or using form FP95 at some pharmacies. It can start immediately or on a future date. There is also a dedicated HRT PPC at £19.80 per year covering listed hormone replacement medicines only — useful if HRT is your only regular prescription.
A PPC is not the same as an exemption. If you qualify for free prescriptions through age, benefits, medical exemption or an HC2 certificate, you do not need a PPC. PPCs suit people who pay for prescriptions but do not qualify for full exemption — for example workers just above the HC2 threshold with several monthly items.
Apply before collecting prescriptions where possible. If you buy a PPC after paying for items, you cannot usually reclaim individual charges already paid in that period. Keep your PPC reference number; pharmacies can look it up if you forget your certificate. PPCs apply in England only — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not charge for NHS prescriptions.
Primary source: nhsbsa.nhs.uk/prescription-prepayment-certificates
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