Upcoming NHS prescription charge increase

Advice and Information - 27 March 2023

The price of an NHS prescription will be increasing as of April 1st 2023. Here is the what you need to know about the change.

From 1 April 2023, the NHS prescription charge will rise to £9.65. This is an increase of 30p from the original price of £9.35

The cost of an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) will be:

  • £31.25 for 3 months
  • £111.60 for 12 months (patients can spread the cost and pay in 10 monthly instalments).

Although the price is increasing, the NHS Business Service Authorities have said that people could save with a PPC. Rather than paying £9.65 for each prescription, the 3 and 12 month PPC covers unlimited NHS prescriptions for the one-off set price. Therefore, this means that if people need 4 or more items in 3 months, or 12 or more items in 12 months they will save money by buying a PPC.

Patients have also been advised to check before buying a PPC if they are entitled to free NHS prescriptions and other help with health costs. You can check for yourself here. 

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