Who gets free NHS prescriptions?
Short answer
Everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — the charge only survives in England. There you are exempt automatically at under 16, at 16–18 in full-time education, at 60 or over, as an NHS inpatient, or on a qualifying benefit; pregnancy and listed medical conditions need an exemption certificate.
England is the only part of the UK that still charges for prescriptions — Wales dropped the charge in 2007, Northern Ireland in 2010 and Scotland in 2011. Even in England around 89% of items are dispensed free, because the exemption categories are wide. Some run automatically; others depend on a certificate you have to apply for.
Exempt automatically
- Under 16, or 16 to 18 and in full-time education.
- Aged 60 or over — from the day of your birthday, not the start of that month.
- An NHS inpatient, or receiving NHS-funded prison healthcare.
- On Universal Credit (within the earnings limits set out on the HC2 form), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
- Holding a Working Tax Credit exemption certificate — with Child Tax Credit, or with the disability element, and annual income of £15,276 or less.
Tick the box on the back of the prescription; the pharmacy may ask for proof.
Exempt with a certificate
- Maternity Exemption Certificate — pregnant, or a baby in the last 12 months.
- Medical Exemption Certificate — for the conditions listed in Schedule 1 to the NHS (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000, among them diabetes mellitus other than diet-controlled, epilepsy needing continuous anticonvulsive therapy, hypoparathyroidism, myasthenia gravis, cancer treatment, and a continuing physical disability that prevents you leaving home unaided. Your GP applies on Form FP92A; it lasts five years and covers all your prescriptions, not only those for the qualifying condition. Asthma, COPD, arthritis, HIV and mental health conditions are not on the list.
- HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help) under the NHS Low Income Scheme, applied for on Form HC1. It is means-tested but more generous than the benefit rules, so many working families qualify, and HC2 also covers dental treatment, NHS sight tests, glasses and travel to hospital.
- A War Pension Exemption Certificate.
If none of these applies and you need medicines regularly, a Prepayment Certificate caps what you pay for three or twelve months however many items you collect, and there is a cheaper HRT-only version — buy either from the NHSBSA on 0300 330 1341. Two traps to avoid: ticking an exemption box you are not entitled to brings a penalty charge notice of £100 plus the charge, which you have 28 days to pay or appeal; and if you paid when you were in fact exempt, claim it back within three months on Form FP57 from the pharmacy.
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