Is an NHS prescription prepayment certificate worth it?
If you pay for prescriptions in England, a prepayment certificate can cap the cost. Enter how many items you get and see whether to buy one and what you save.
How it works
Each prescription item in England costs £9.90. A Prepayment Certificate (PPC) is a flat fee that then covers as many items as you need, so it turns an unpredictable bill into a fixed cost. The 12-month PPC is £114.50 and the 3-month PPC is £32.05. The tool compares what you would spend per item across a year against the certificate, then names the cheaper route and the saving.
The break-even is simple. The 12-month PPC pays for itself once you buy more than 12 items in a year, which is about one a month. The 3-month PPC is worth it if you need more than 4 items in three months, so it suits a short course of treatment. There is also an HRT-only PPC at £19.80 a year, which covers unlimited HRT items but nothing else.
Worked example
Suppose you collect 3 items a month. That is 36 items a year, which at £9.90 each would cost £356. A 12-month PPC caps it at £114.50, so you save £242 over the year and never pay more however many extra items you need. You can also pay for the PPC in ten monthly direct debit instalments, which spreads the cost.
Common questions
Is a prescription prepayment certificate worth it?
A PPC is worth it once you pay for more than about 12 items a year, roughly one a month. At £9.90 an item the 12-month certificate at £114.50 caps the cost no matter how many items you need, so heavy users save the most.
How much is a PPC in 2026?
A 3-month PPC costs £32.05 and a 12-month PPC costs £114.50. There is also an HRT-only PPC at £19.80 a year for hormone replacement therapy items. A single prescription item is £9.90.
Should I get the 3-month or 12-month PPC?
Get the 3-month one for a short course of medication where you need more than 4 items in three months. For anything ongoing the 12-month PPC is better, because four 3-month certificates cost £128.20, more than the £114.50 yearly one.
What is the HRT PPC?
The HRT PPC is a separate certificate at £19.80 a year that covers unlimited HRT prescription items. If HRT is the only thing you get, it is far cheaper than the standard PPC. It does not cover any of your other prescriptions.
Are prescriptions free where I live?
Prescriptions are already free for everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The £9.90 charge and PPCs only apply in England, so this tool is for England.