Prescriptions

NHS Prescriptions

An NHS prescription is issued by a National Health Service medical practitioner, for example a doctor or a dentist. For each item on your prescription you pay a set fee, unless you are exempt or hold a pre-payment certificate. At present, the NHS prescription charge is £9.90 per item. Some items may attract multiple charges, which the pharmacy will advise you of if necessary.

We keep a secure computerised record of all your medicines, which enables us to to advise you appropriately when dispensing and selling you over the counter medicines. Our computer system keeps a record of any known allergies that you may have, and it also helps to check that new medicines you take don't clash with previous ones.

All tablets and capsules are dispensed in child resistant containers unless you ask us not to.

Private Prescriptions

The charge for dispensing a private prescription includes the cost of the medicine. If you have a private prescription you will always be required to pay; there is no exemption. Depending on the drug it may be cheaper to get a private prescription rather than getting the item on a NHS prescription, your doctor may write one for you if this is the case.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

PRE- PAYMENT CERTIFICATES (PPC)

A 3 or 12 month PPC covers all your prescriptions for that period, no matter how many you need.

A prescription costs £9.90 per item, but a PPC costs:

• £32.05 for 3 months
• £114.50 for 12 months

• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website