Free NHS prescriptions

Who gets free prescriptions in England

You do not pay for NHS prescriptions if, when you get your medicine, you:

• are 60 or over
• are under 16
• are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
• are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
• have a medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• have a war pension exemption certificate (for your accepted disability)
• are an NHS inpatient
• have an HC2 certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme
• get, or your partner gets, income-related ESA or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• get Universal Credit and meet the earnings rules below

Universal Credit earnings rules

You get free prescriptions if, in your last assessment period, your take-home pay (or joint take-home pay if you claim as a couple) was:

• £435 or less, or
• £935 or less if your Universal Credit includes an amount for a child or for limited capability for work

Your earnings are checked each month, so check your latest statement.

The medical exemption list

You can get a MedEx certificate if you have:

• cancer, and are having treatment for cancer or its effects, or the effects of treatment
• a permanent fistula, such as a stoma, that needs a dressing or appliance
• Addison's disease or another form of hypoadrenalism
• diabetes insipidus or another form of hypopituitarism
• diabetes treated with medicine (not diet alone)
• hypoparathyroidism
• myasthenia gravis
• an underactive thyroid needing thyroid hormone
• epilepsy needing continuous medicine
• a continuing physical disability that means you cannot go out without help from another person

Ask your GP surgery for form FP92A. The certificate usually lasts 5 years.

If you have to pay

A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) covers all your prescriptions for a fixed price. It saves money if you need more than a few items:

• a 3 month PPC saves money if you need 4 or more items in 3 months
• a 12 month PPC saves money if you need 12 or more items in a year, and can be paid in 10 monthly instalments
• an HRT PPC covers certain hormone replacement therapy medicines for 12 months

You can buy a PPC online from the NHS Business Services Authority, or at many pharmacies.

In Wales

Prescriptions are free for everyone registered with a GP in Wales, including when you collect them from a pharmacy in Wales.