How Do I Get a Prescription Prepayment Certificate?

If you live in England you may be able to get a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). In most cases, buying prescription prepayment certificates from the National Health Service (NHS) could save you money.

You can buy a three (3) or a twelve (12) month prescription prepayment certificate. A prepaid PPC would cover all the medical prescriptions you need for that particular period – no matter whether you only need one or you need many.

The current cost of a prescription from a pharmacy is £9.15 per item [2020]. But, the cost of buying a PPC from the NHS Business Services Authority is:

  • £29.65 for 3 months
  • £105.90 for 12 months

Hence, once you know how to get a prescription prepayment certificate it will be cheaper if:

  • You will buy at least four (4) prescriptions in 3 months
  • You will buy at least fourteen (14) prescriptions in one year

Note: Furthermore, buying a 12 month PPC means you would be able to pay for it in monthly instalments by Direct Debit [10 x £10.59].


How to Buy NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate

The quickest way to buy an NHS prescription prepayment certificate is online or by telephone via the order line.

PPC Order Line
Telephone: 0300 330 1341
Check cost of making the call

Depending on your date of birth you may qualify for free prescriptions and other welfare benefits.

Even so, there are several ways you can pay for a PPC, including:

  • Direct Debit (for a 12 month PPC)
  • Debit or credit card payment
  • Full payment at a registered pharmacy using the FP95 application form (you must supply an email address)
A guide explaining how buying a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) from the National Health Service (NHS) could save you money.

Can You Get Help with NHS Prescriptions?

You may also qualify for free prescriptions from the NHS, eye tests, dental treatment, and financial help with other medical costs.

How much help you can get will depend on several different factors, such as your age, income, and:

  • Where you live (e.g. England, Scotland, or Wales)
  • Whether you have rights to claim benefits
  • Being pregnant
  • Whether you have a disability or medical condition

Note: The UK Rules (or GOV.UK) website provides more information on how to check if you can get free NHS prescriptions and how to apply.


How to Get Help with NHS Prescriptions

You may qualify for free NHS prescriptions and help with certain other NHS costs (e.g. dental treatment, eye tests). In general, whether you can get help or not will depend on:

  • Your age, income, and which country you live in (e.g. England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland).
  • Whether you:
    • Are getting certain qualifying benefits.
    • Are pregnant.
    • Have a medical condition.

You should use the NHS Business Services Authority website to check what kind of help you might get. The online application should take around five (5) minutes to complete.

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