A pre-payment certificate (PPC) is like a season ticket, letting you have all your prescriptions for a set cost for either 4 or 12 months. If you have to pay for more than 5 prescription items in 4 months or 14 items in 12 months you may save money by buying a PPC.
Each country in the UK has its own rules about health charges and some people get free prescriptions. So, before buying a prepayment certificate check if you could get free prescriptions.
If you live in Wales NHS prescriptions are free of charge.
If you live in England you can apply for a PPC:
- Online at https://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc/do/PatientOrderPage
- Over the telephone using a credit or debit card. Call 0845 850 0030
- By post. Fill out form FP95 (available from pharmacies, doctors' surgeries or post offices) and send with payment to: NHS Business Services Authority, PPC Issue Office, PO Box 854, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE99 2DE.
- From some pharmacies.
If you live in Scotland you can buy a PPC:
- From most pharmacies
- From most dispensing doctor practices
- By post. Form EC95 available from your pharmacy tells you what to do.
If you live in Northern Ireland you can buy a PPC from most pharmacies.