While NHS prescription costs were frozen this year at £9.35 per prescription, the cost soon adds up especially for people with more than one health condition. A recent survey by the National Pharmacy Association revealed that nearly nine in 10 chemists in England have patients who often go without prescription medicines because they cannot afford the charge. However, 15 groups of people with medical conditions or in receipt of certain benefits could get free prescriptions.
A new report has found that if NHS prescription charges rise in line with the cost of living, they could cost £13 by 2035.
If Government proposals to raise the age that people get free prescriptions in line with state pension age get the green light, thousands of over 60s in England will be forced to pay for prescriptions.
This is despite the fact that NHS prescriptions are free for everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, no matter what their age.
The cost of prescriptions is a concern to campaigners who are calling on the Government to make sure no one has to miss out on medication because they can’t afford it.
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However, a spokesperson for the DHSC said that nearly 90 percent of the English population qualifies for free NHS prescriptions.
They said: “We recognise the pressures people are facing with the rising cost of living and we are taking action to support households, including freezing prescription charges for the first time in 12 years.
“Thanks to our extensive arrangements to help people afford NHS prescription charges, 89 percent of prescriptions in England are already provided free of charge.”
People who suffer from certain health conditions should automatically be sent a medical exemption certificate through the post, but others on certain benefits could also qualify for free prescriptions depending on their income.
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Meanwhile, a Pre Payment Certificate (PPC)) could help those who aren’t entitled to free prescriptions save money.
A PPC enables people to purchase as many NHS prescriptions as they need throughout the year for £108.10.
Britons who rely on two prescriptions a month could save over £100.
To find out more about a PPC people should go to the NHS website.
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