People have been urged to check if they qualify for free NHS prescriptions as the Government has responded to calls for a yearly review into who is eligible.
Labour MP Charlotte Nichols asked health ministers if there was any action under way “to review the prescription charge medical exemption list annually”.
The NHS prescription charge for people in England is currently £9.90 per item although several groups can get their medication for free. NHS prescriptions are free for everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Health minister Karin Smyth said in response: “There are no current plans to review the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate.
“Approximately 89 percent of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place.”
She went on to name five key groups of people who can get their prescriptions for free.
Ms Smyth explained: “Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.
“People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme.”
This is the full list of people who can get their NHS prescriptions free of charge:
- Are under 16
- Are aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education
- Are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months
- Are registered disabled and are unable to go out
- Have a war pension exemption certificate
- Are an NHS inpatient
- Receive Income Support
- Receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Receive Universal Credit (UC) and their earnings during their last assessment period were £435 or less, or £935 or less if their UC includes an element for a child or they have limited capability for work
- Own a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
- Receive a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2).
- Have certain illnesses including cancer and epilepsy
- Are aged 60 or over
The health minister pointed to another way people who do have to pay can keep their costs down.
She stated: “Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available, and the 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.”
These are the current costs for a PPC:
- 3-month PPC – £32.05 – saves you money if you need more than three items over the three months
- 12-month PPC – £114.50 – saves you money if you need more than 11 items over the 12 months.
