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NHS prescription charges

The current prescription charge is £9.90 per item.

Information:

Prescription charges are for each item not each prescription. For example, if your prescription has 3 medicines on it you will have to pay the prescription charge 3 times.

Some items are always free, including contraception and medicines prescribed for hospital inpatients.

If you know you'll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC).

Find out how to save money with a PPC

How long is a prescription valid for?

Most prescriptions are valid for 6 months from the date they are signed by a doctor or nurse.

Prescriptions for most controlled drugs, such as morphine, are valid for 28 days.

Find out more about controlled drugs on GOV.UK

Page last reviewed: 23 November 2023
Next review due: 27 November 2026