NHS prescription costs and how to pay less

NHS treatment is free at the point of use, but prescriptions in England are not. Since you have already paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, you are entitled to NHS care on the same terms as a UK resident - and that includes the same prescription charges and the same ways of reducing them.

What it costs

In England the prescription charge is £9.90 per item as at August 2026. The charge is per item, not per prescription - a prescription for three different medicines costs three times the charge. Confirm the current amount at nhs.uk – NHS prescription charges.

Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you live in those nations this does not apply to you.

Who gets free prescriptions in England

A number of groups pay nothing. Broadly, these include:

• Children under 16, and 16–18 year olds in full-time education.
• People aged 60 and over.
• People who are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months - you need a maternity exemption certificate, which your midwife or GP can arrange. See having a baby on the NHS.
• People with certain long-term medical conditions - this needs a medical exemption certificate, applied for through your GP.
• People on certain low-income benefits, and those covered by the NHS Low Income Scheme.

Exemption is not automatic - for maternity and medical exemptions you must hold a valid certificate. Check the current list of exemptions on the NHS website before ticking an exemption box.

The prepayment certificate (PPC)

If you need regular medication, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate caps what you pay. You buy a certificate covering a period - typically 3 months or 12 months - and then pay nothing further for prescriptions during it, no matter how many items you need.

The rough rule of thumb: a 3-month PPC pays for itself if you need more than about 3 items in 3 months, and a 12-month PPC if you need more than about 11 items a year. A 12-month certificate can usually be paid by monthly direct debit rather than in one go. Check current prices and buy one at NHSBSA – prescription prepayment certificates.

Other ways to spend less

• Ask the pharmacist first. Many common medicines - painkillers, antihistamines, simple remedies - cost less bought over the counter than the prescription charge.
• Ask your GP about longer prescriptions. For a stable long-term condition, a longer supply per item means fewer charges.
• Pharmacy First. Community pharmacists in England can advise on and treat a set of common conditions without a GP appointment - often faster than waiting to see a doctor.
• Do not skip doses to save money. If cost is a problem, say so to your GP or pharmacist - exemption and low-income routes exist precisely for this.

Watch out for

Claiming an exemption you are not entitled to results in a penalty charge on top of the original cost, and the checks are automated. If you are not certain you qualify, pay the charge and claim it back if it turns out you were exempt.