You can currently get your prescriptions free in England in some situations, such as if you receive certain benefits or have a qualifying medical condition. People aged 60 and over can also get their medication free of charge.
Periodic reviews
Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome asked the Government if the Department of Health and Social Care “periodically reviews the eligibility criteria for Medical Exemption Certificates granting free NHS prescriptions”. He also asked what matters are considered when carrying out these reviews, if they do take place.
If you are eligible to get your prescriptions for free as you have a medical condition, you need to get one of these certificates before getting your medication. Previously, the certificate lasted for five years, but the rules recently changed so that for many medical conditions, they now last 10 years.
Government response
In response to the question, health minister James Frith said: “We keep all policies under regular review.” He said the Government is also proactively taking steps to keep medication costs affordable.
Mr Frith said: “This Government is also continuing to take action to make prescriptions more affordable for everyone, including freezing prescription charges for the 2026/27 financial year, both for single prescriptions and the three month and annual prescription prepayment certificates commonly used for long-term conditions.”
The standard NHS prescription cost in England is currently £9.90 per item. NHS prescriptions are completely free of charge for everyone in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The cost per item has steadily increased in recent years:
- 2021/2022 – £9.35 per item
- 2022/2023 – £9.35 per item (frozen)
- 2023/2024 – £9.65 per item
- 2024/2025 – 2026/2027 – £9.90 per item.
This means if you need four prescription items a month, the cost has gone up by £2.20 a month compared to five years ago, or £26.40 a year.
The cost 10 years ago was just £8.20 per item, £1.70 less than you pay today.
Who can get a medical exemption certificate?
You will qualify for a 10-year medical exemption certificate if you have any of these 9 medical conditions:
- 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.
You can get a 5-year medical exemption certificate if you’re undergoing any treatments for:
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
