Now, if you’re a regular at the pharmacy—maybe for a monthly asthma inhaler or a repeat prescription—paying £9.90 each time gets old fast. That’s when the PPC (Prescription Prepayment Certificate) becomes your best friend. Think of it like a season pass to a theme park, but for pills and potions.
NHS prescription charge to rise next month - see how much more you'll
A three-month PPC costs £32.20, and a twelve-month one is £114.50. Do a bit of quick maths: if you need more than three prescriptions in three months, or eleven in a year, the PPC saves you money. The NHS even offers a handy online calculator so you can check. It’s almost satisfying, like finding a tenner in an old coat pocket.
What about the weird stuff?
Not everything your doctor gives you comes with that £9.90 sticker. Certain items are always free, no matter who you are. Contraceptives? Yes, free. Things you need for hospital stays? Usually free, too. But items like some wound dressings or stoma products have their own rules—it can get a little confusing, so always ask your pharmacist.
Also, it’s different in Scotland and Wales. If you live there, you’ll likely pay nothing at all, because the prescription charge was scrapped. Imagine telling an English friend you get your hay fever tablets for free—they might get a twinge of envy. But hey, we can’t all live in a land of rain and free medicine.
Some prescription drug prices rise by 1,000% in 2017 - BBC News
