Martin Lewis shares simple way to save on NHS prescriptions – as one million overpaying
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Aneira Davies
Social and newsletter writerAlmost one million people are missing out on prescription savings – and there's a cheaper way to get them says the Money Saving Expert
Martin Lewis has urged households to stop overpaying for prescriptions.
The Money Saving Expert shared his top tip for anyone who pays out for prescriptions, informing them there's a cheaper way – especially if they're buying more than one prescription a month.
Almost a million people in England overpaid for prescriptions last year, new figures reveal, with Martin reminding families they can purchase a prescription 'season ticket' instead.
And it will save you cash.
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'Spread the word'
Via his Money Saving Expert website, Martin Lewis said:
'We need to spread the word to anyone in England who regularly gets prescriptions – including some with chronic illnesses – to check out prepayment certificates.'
A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) is a prepaid 'season ticket' that covers all your prescription charges for a set time period.
This can be for three months or 12 months.
Currently, prescriptions cost £9.65 each in England, but a three-month PPC will cost you £31.25 and a 12-month PPC costs £111.60 (and can be paid for in 10 Direct Debit payments of £11.16 each).
The more prescriptions you pay for during the year, the more savings you'll make if you buy a PPC.
Purchasing a 12-month PPC would save you at least £4.20 a year if you buy 12 or more prescriptions, while you'll be able to save £7.35 if you buy four or more prescriptions over a three-month period.
'Do it sooner rather than later'
But Martin also warned that there's a chance that season tickets may increase in April, reminding anyone who wants to buy one to 'do it sooner rather than later'.
He added:
'There's still a chance the price of these season tickets may rise in April. If so, doing it now would mean you pay less for longer.'
How could it save you money?
Martin adds that those who pay for at least two prescriptions a month will see the biggest savings, but even those who get one prescription a month will still see a cap on their payments.
He adds:
'My simple rule of thumb is if you get more than one prescription a month on average, a prepayment certificate is the cheapest option as it caps what you pay. They give you unlimited prescriptions for either three months or a year.
'For someone using an average of two prescriptions a month, it'd be a £120 saving and it'd reduce the worry if you needed more, as you wouldn't have to shell out more.'
Almost one million people missed out on savings in the financial year 2022/2023, according to a Freedom of Information request made by Money Saving Expert.
The figures, by NHS Business Services Authority, showed that 952,874 people in England lost out on combined savings of £39.5 million, which works out at around £42 each.
Do I need to pay for prescriptions?
Not everyone needs to pay for prescriptions.
There's only a charge for prescriptions in England, as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all scrapped the charges over a decade ago.
Others are also exempt from paying.
People over 60, under 16s and those getting certain benefits don't have to pay for prescriptions.
Others who are entitled to free prescriptions in England include those aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education, and mums who are pregnant or who have had a baby in the past 12 months (provided they have a valid maternity exemption certificate).
There's a handy tool to check if you're exempt from paying on the NHS website.
And others, who are prescribed HRT medication, can also make a saving on their prescriptions, through a discount scheme which sees women get an unlimited number of certain HRT prescriptions for 12 months for under £20.
Which could save some up to £300 a year.
How to purchase a PPC
You can buy a PPC online or over the phone, on 0300 330 1341. You can also buy the 'season ticket' at many pharmacies and spread the cost via Direct Debit if you can't afford it all in one go.
If you've paid for prescriptions while waiting for your PPC to arrive, you can also use an NHS FP57 refund form (ask the pharmacy or dispensary which dispenses your prescription for one) to get your money back.
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