The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that the NHS prescription charge will not be raised on 1 April 2022. Find out more about NHS and private prescriptions here, from PPRX.
No change to prescription charges for April 2022
Annually, with changes usually made in April, the NHS prescription charge is increased. The cost of a single prescription in England has risen from £7.65 in 2012-13 to £9.35 in 2021-22, including an increase of 20p from 2020-21. This year the Government has yet to conclude consideration of any future increases to prescription charges. The charges will therefore not be raised on 1 April 2022 while further consideration is given.
The freeze also applies to the £30.25 for a three month prescription prepayment certificate (PPC), and the 12-month charge, which can be paid in instalments, will stay at £108.10.
What is the purpose of freezing Prescription charges?
1. NHS Prescription Charge freeze will help ease the cost of living pressures on households, saving £17 million overall
2. Comes alongside record government NHS investment to tackle the COVID-19 backlog and reduce waiting times
Charges usually increase in line with average inflation. This year – in a move not seen for over a decade – the cost for prescriptions will remain the same to help ease cost of living pressures and ensure prescription medication remains accessible.
People in England who pay prescription charges are saving £17 million overall. Charges for prescriptions will remain at £9.35 for a single charge or £30.25 for a 3-month prescription prepayment certificate (PPC).
12-month PPCs will remain at £108.10 and can be paid for in instalments, meaning people can get all the medicines they need for just over £2 a week.
Other NHS support
In addition to the freeze on charges, the NHS low-income scheme offers help with prescription payments, with free prescriptions for eligible people in certain groups such as pensioners, students, and those who receive state benefits or live in care homes.
The government and NHS is working to tackle the COVID-19 backlogs while reforming routine care services, ending long waits and improving patient care. The pandemic has put huge pressure on health and care services and over the next 3 years, a record £39 billion will be invested through the Health and Care Levy, so the NHS has the funding it needs. The NHS is opening new surgical hubs and 160 community diagnostic centres so patients have easier access to tests closer to home – with 88 already open, delivering over 800,000 scans.
NHS Wigs and Fabric Support charges
The prescription freeze will also apply to NHS wigs and fabric supports. These prices will remain at current levels:
1. surgical bra £30.70
2. abdominal or spinal support £46.30
3. stock modacrylic wig £75.70
4. partial human hair wig £200.50
5. full bespoke human hair wig £293.20
Who is exempt from prescription charges?
You are exempt from charges if you:
• are 60 or over
• are under 16
• are 16 to 18 and in full-time education
• are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
• have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
• are an NHS inpatient
Speak to our pharmacists online or by phone for more information, click here.
References
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-prescription-charge-freeze-to-help-ease-cost-of-living
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/save-money-with-a-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc/
https://psnc.org.uk/our-news/no-change-to-prescription-charges-for-april-2022/
