Prescription charges go up Posted or Updated on 14 Oct 2024

The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 were laid before Parliament on 3 April 2024. The regulations set out the new NHS prescription charges in England. 

A prescription will cost £9.90 for each medicine or appliance dispensed, an increase of 25 pence, from May 1 2024.

Charges for prescriptions and prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) will increase by 2.59% (rounded to the nearest 5 pence) from 1 May 2024. Charges for wigs and fabric supports will increase by the same rate. The 3-month PPC will cost £32.05 and the 12-month PPC will cost £114.50.  

The hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC will cost £19.80, an increase of 50 pence. This is because the rate is set at twice the single prescription charge.

The surgery is required to collect these charges by the Government. We do not set them or have any control over them. The money goes to the NHS not the Surgery.

If you have even one monthly repeat prescription, a prepayment certificate will save you money if you pay for your prescriptions. For each additional item, the saving increases. You can find out more about getting a PPC here. You will need to show the dispenser your prepayment certificate when you would normally pay for your prescription.

Some people are enitltled to apply for a Medical Exemption Certificate. You can find out more about Medical Exemption Certificates here.

You’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you’re:

• Under 16
• Aged 16-18 and in full time education
• Aged 60 or over

You may also be entitled to free prescriptions if you meet other criteria. Find out more about Free Prescriptions.