For many people living in England, cost of living will go up a notch as NHS prescriptions are set to increase next month. The government has confirmed that from April, you will need to pay 30p extra to claim your medication from a pharmacy. The price hike was suspended last year to reduce pressure on households already reeling from high costs of living.
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Prescription charges
England remains the only country in the UK where you have to pay prescription charges. Currently, most adults are required to pay £9.35 to collect their medications. However, with the Department of Health and Social Care announcing a 3.21% increase, the next time you go to the pharmacy to pick up your medication, expect to pay £9.65, according to Metro News.
While some items such as contraceptives and prescribed medicines for hospital inpatients are always free, the cost of prescription wigs, surgical bras among others are set to increase as well in line with inflation, the news outlet added.
Eligibility for free prescription
Some groups of people are exempt from paying prescription charges in England. If you are between ages 16 and 18 and are schooling full-time, you don’t have to pay this charge. You are also exempt the moment you turn 60. According to the NHS, you are eligible for cost-free prescriptions if you:
- are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
- have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
- have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
Patients diagnosed with certain health conditions such as cancer, epilepsy or permanent fistula are exempt as well. To check if you’re eligible for an exemption, you can use this NHS tool.
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Sources used:
Metro News: NHS prescriptions will rise by 30p to £9.65 from next month
NHS: Who can get free prescriptions?
