Home / The Old Fox's Penny Tips
Watch on YouTube
Premieres 4 November 2026 at 12pm UK time
The Old Fox's Penny Tips · Episode 7
Pay for Prescriptions? Try This NHS Certificate
An NHS prepayment certificate covers all your prescriptions in England for £32.05 for three months or £114.50 a year. General information, not financial advice.
General information, not financial advice. Check your own situation.
- In England, an NHS prescription costs £9.90 per item in 2026/27; a Prescription Prepayment Certificate costs £32.05 for three months or £114.50 for twelve months, and the twelve-month certificate can be paid in ten monthly instalments (NHS Business Services Authority).
- The NHS Business Services Authority says a certificate saves money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months, or 11 items in 12 months.
- Many people get free prescriptions, including those aged 60 or over, and prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (NHS).
🌐 https://theoldfoxtalks.com
Watch on YouTube Follow on TikTok
Share this story
What the fox said
Paying for prescriptions in England? There may be a cheaper way to pay for them.
Each item costs £9.90. Need a few every month, and it soon adds up.
But there's a prepayment certificate. One price covers all your NHS prescriptions for the period.
3 months costs £32.05. 12 months, £114.50.
The 12-month one can be spread over 10 monthly direct debits, of £11.45.
The NHS says it saves money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months, or more than 11 in a year.
But first check you don't already get them free. Many over-60s do. And Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland don't charge at all.
You can buy one from the NHS online, or at some pharmacies. Keep your nose to the wind.
General information, not financial advice. Check your own situation.
Sources
- In England, an NHS prescription costs £9.90 per item in 2026/27; a Prescription Prepayment Certificate costs £32.05 for three months or £114.50 for twelve months, and the twelve-month certificate can be paid in ten monthly instalments (NHS Business Services Authority).
- The NHS Business Services Authority says a certificate saves money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months, or 11 items in 12 months.
- Many people get free prescriptions, including those aged 60 or over, and prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (NHS).
Spotted a mistake? Tell us in the YouTube comments and we'll correct it.