Medicines and costs: United Kingdom.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · Canada · Australia.

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Medicines and costs: United Kingdom

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/medicines-and-costs

The same medicine can cost very different amounts depending on the version and how you pay. This sheet lists questions to ask and the official help where you live, in the box below.

Generic medicines

A generic has the same active ingredient as the brand-name medicine.
It must meet the regulator’s quality standards and usually costs less.
It may look different; ask the pharmacist if you are unsure.

Questions to ask

Is there a generic or lower-cost option that would suit me?
What will this cost before you fill it?
Is there public help or an exemption I might qualify for?

If you can’t afford it

Tell your prescriber or pharmacist before you stop or skip anything.
Check the official help listed below.
Keep receipts; some schemes count what you have already paid.

Buying safely

Only buy from a licensed pharmacy.
Avoid sellers that don’t ask for a prescription.
Only take medicines prescribed for you.

In the United Kingdom

Prescription charges. In England, most working-age adults pay a charge for each item on a prescription, not each prescription. Some items are always free, including contraception. NHS prescriptions in Scotland and Wales are free.
Who gets free prescriptions in England. Groups include people under 16, aged 16 to 18 in full-time education, or 60 or over; some people on benefits including Universal Credit, depending on income; people with a valid maternity or medical exemption certificate; and some people on a low income through the NHS Low Income Scheme. The NHS Business Services Authority has an online checker.
Prescription prepayment certificate. If you pay for a lot of prescriptions, a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) covers all your NHS prescriptions for a set period, whatever the number of items. There are 3-month, 12-month and hormone replacement therapy options; check the current prices on the NHS website.
Refunds. If you pay and then find you were entitled to free prescriptions, ask the pharmacist for an FP57 refund receipt when you pay. You can only get a refund with one, and you must claim within three months.

Official places to check:

NHS: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/nhs-prescription-charges
NHS: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/save-money-with-a-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc
NHS: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/check-if-you-can-get-free-prescriptions
NHS Business Services Authority: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs
NHS Business Services Authority: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 19 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/reach/medicines-and-costs