Free NHS Prescriptions Explained 

While people living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland automatically receive free NHS prescriptions, that’s not the case for people in England.  

And even if you do live in the rest of the UK, if your prescription is dispensed from England, you’ll still need to pay – unless you are exempt.  

Our guide takes you through everyone who is eligible for free prescriptions in England, as well as how you can save money on your medication if you do have to pay.  

Three key takeaways 

• You can receive free NHS prescriptions in England if you meet certain age, income or medical criteria.  

• You can order your free NHS prescriptions through Chemist4U.  

• If you can't get them for free, you can save money on your prescriptions with an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC).  

Who qualifies for free NHS prescriptions? 

If you live in England, you will need to meet one of the eligibility criteria laid out below to qualify for free NHS prescriptions: 

Age 

You can receive free NHS prescriptions if you are: 

• under 16 

• 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education 

• 60 or over 

Benefits 

You’ll be automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you receive: 

• income support 

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) 

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 

• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit 

• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit 

If you receive Universal Credit, you can get free NHS prescriptions if your earnings in your last assessment period were £435 or less, or £935 or less if you receive a payment for a child or have a limited capability for work.  

Medical exemptions 

You can apply for a medical exemption certificate, entitling you to free NHS prescriptions, if you have: 

• a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) which needs continuous surgical dressing or an appliance 

• a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential 

• diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism 

• diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone 

• hypoparathyroidism 

• myasthenia gravis 

• myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement) 

• epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy 

• a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person 

• cancer, or are undergoing treatment for the effects of cancer or the effects of the treatment itself 

If you’re eligible for an NHS medical exemption certificate, your GP (or medical representative with access to your medical records) will need to submit an FP92A form on your behalf.  

You should then receive your exemption certificate within 10 days of the application being submitted. 

Maternity 

If you are pregnant, or have given birth in the last 1 months, you’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions. However, you’ll need to have a valid maternity exemption certificate to do so.  

Your GP, midwife or health visitor will apply for a maternity exemption certificate on your behalf. Your certificate should be backdated for one month from the date the application is submitted.  

Contraception 

You can get free contraception in England from a range of sources, including: 

• some pharmacies, including Chemist4U 

• GP surgeries 

• sexual health clinics 

• some young people’s services 

War pension 

If you have a valid War Pension, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme exemption certificate, or other prescription exemption certificated issued by the Ministry of Defence, you’re eligible for free NHS prescriptions, as long as they relate to your accepted disability. 

NHS inpatient 

Any prescriptions given to you while as an inpatient at an NHS hospital are free. However, a regular prescription taken out of the hospital won’t be. 

Free NHS prescriptions with Chemist4U 

When you sign up for your Chemist4U account, and nominate us as your pharmacy, you can let us know that you’re eligible for free NHS prescriptions. 

You can also update your exemption status in your account. We may ask for proof of certain exemptions.  

Once you’re all set up, you can order your free NHS prescriptions through Chemist4U, and we’ll deliver them straight to your door for no extra cost.  

How else to save money on your NHS prescriptions 

Even if you’re not eligible for free NHS prescriptions, you can still get help: 

NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) 

If you need to pay for a lot of prescriptions over a set period of time, you can save money using an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate. There are three options available; 

• 3-month PPC for £32.05 

• 12-month PPC for £114.50 

• annual hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC for £19.80  

These certificates allow you to claim unlimited prescriptions during the period you’ve bought it for. For the HRT PPC, however, your prescription must be for a valid item.  

It’s easy to figure out whether you’ll save money with a PPC. Since an NHS prescription costs £9.90, you can calculate if a PPC will cost more or less than the number of prescription items you’ll need to pay for within a 3-month or 12-month period.  

NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) 

If you have a low income, and don’t receive any of the benefits mentioned above, you may be eligible for the NHS Low Income Scheme. To apply for the scheme, you’ll need to be either: 

• a pensioner 

• a student 

• earning a wage 

• receiving state benefits 

• living in a care home 

In England, you also can’t have savings, investments or property (not including where you live) worth more than £16,000, or £23,250 if you live in a care home.  

If you meet these criteria, you’ll need to go through an assessment. You may be asked to submit evidence to support your application.  

If you are eligible, you’ll receive either a HC2 certificate, entitling you to free NHS prescriptions, or a HC3 certificate, which doesn’t include free prescriptions but does help pay towards NHS dental work, among other costs.  

FAQs 

Can I get my free prescription online? 

Yes, you can order your free NHS prescriptions online with Chemist4U.  

How long does an NHS medical exemption certificate last? 

NHS medical exemption certificates normally last for five years. They will also be backdated to start one month before you application was received.  

How do I update my medical exemption certificate? 

You will need to contact your GP if you want to update your medical exemption certificate. If you want to renew your certificate, you’ll also need to speak to your GP, who will submit another FP92A form.  

Can I get a refund for my NHS prepayment certificate if I'm eligible for free prescriptions? 

Yes, you can claim a full or partial refund if you’ve bought an NHS prepayment certificate but are entitled to, or become eligible for, free prescriptions. But only if you became entitled in the first month of a 3-month PPC (or second month if you have a medical or maternity exemption certificate), or before the last month of a 12-month PPC. You have three months to claim your refund.