{"id":121362,"date":"2026-06-06T11:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T10:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=121362"},"modified":"2026-06-06T11:12:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T10:12:27","slug":"the-nhs-scheme-900000-people-are-missing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/the-nhs-scheme-900000-people-are-missing\/","title":{"rendered":"The NHS Scheme Almost 900,000 People Are Missing, And It Could Save You \u00a3120"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Patients across England who routinely pick up prescriptions are being encouraged to look at an NHS scheme that could reduce what they spend at the pharmacy counter. According to the MoneySavingExpert <\/strong>website founded by Martin Lewis, recent analysis indicates that close to 900,000 people may be overlooking the opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The advice centres on the NHS prescription prepayment certificate, a scheme set up to help patients in England manage the cost of repeat medication. With each prescribed item carrying a charge, the savings can add up quickly for anyone collecting several items at a time or returning to the pharmacy month after month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Prepayment Scheme Reduces Costs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A prescription costs \u00a39.90<\/strong> per item in England, and patients sometimes find themselves paying for several items at once. A prepayment certificate, often described as a prepaid card, is presented to the pharmacist when medicines are collected and removes the need to pay item by item during the period it covers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martin Lewis, who founded MoneySavingExpert.com, said the message needed to reach anyone in England who regularly gets prescriptions, including some people living with chronic illnesses. He advised acting sooner rather than later, on the basis that buying now means paying less for longer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His rule of thumb is straightforward. According to Lewis, anyone averaging more than one prescription a month will usually find a certificate the cheapest option, because it caps the total cost. The certificates provide unlimited prescriptions over either three months or a year. For someone using an average of two prescriptions a month, he said the saving would amount to \u00a3120<\/strong>, while also removing the worry of having to pay more if extra medication were needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scale of the missed savings <\/a>is set out in NHS figures. According to the NHS, around 872,000 patients could have saved roughly \u00a335 million between them in 2023\/24 by buying a 12-month certificate, an average of \u00a341 per person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two certificates are available, and once purchased each covers all prescriptions during the relevant period. Costs are unchanged for 2026. A three-month certificate is priced at \u00a332.05 and a 12-month certificate at \u00a3114.50. There is also a separate certificate for hormone replacement therapy, with a 12-month HRT certificate costing \u00a319.80. By way of comparison, someone collecting two prescriptions a month over a year would save more than \u00a3100 against the cost of paying for each prescription separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applications can be made through the NHS Prescriptions website<\/a>, with payment by card or by direct debit for those who would rather spread the expense. Forms are also available at selected pharmacies, and applications can be made by telephone on 0300 330 1341.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Patients with long-term conditions could save money on their prescriptions.

NHS staff, remind patients to check their eligibility for a Prescription Prepayment Certificate at https:\/\/t.co\/ZQMCWII8cM<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/JT5ZxyLa6f<\/a><\/p>— NHS England (@NHSEngland) April 3, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>