Top News

Many people across the UK remain unaware of the fact they could be saving thousands of pounds on pricey pills - but Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert (MSE) shares five ways in which people could be saving on their medicine. From getting a prepay certificate to knowing if you qualify for free prescriptions, MSE shares all the tips and tricks.

With NHS statistics demonstrating that 872,000 patients could have saved around £35 million if they had known about one money-saving method in particular, it seems it's worth getting to know your medical rights. While some tips reveal how to save on medicine, others show how you might have the right to completely free prescriptions. Here are five ways in which you could be saving on your pills.

While prescriptions cost £9.90 per item in England, they're free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Otherwise, all medicines administered by a GP, in hospitals or NHS walk-in centres are free.

Prescribed contraceptives, and treatments for most sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis are also available for free. Some mental health conditions may be treated for no cost if it has been prescribed under a community treatment order.

Under the NHS, British citizens may qualify for free medicine. Those who qualify include those under 16 or over 59, those in education between 16-18 years old, those pregnant or anyone who gave birth in the last 12 months.

In this case, they must have a valid maternity exemption certificate ('MatEx') which is still valid, though this can be extended if the baby is born later than expected.

Anyone who receives income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment & support allowance, or pension credit guarantee credit are also exempt from paying.

Prescription payers are able to check against the full list if they qualify by using the NHS calculator.

Though it's not available everywhere, often if you or your child are already entitled to a free prescription and have a minor health complaint, you may also qualify for free non-prescription medicines for minor health issues like coughs, diarrhoea, eczema and head lice - this is called the NHS minor ailments scheme.

While branded medicines are unlikely to grab for free, unbranded equivalents may be offered instead.

Prepayment certificates (PPC) generally apply to people using at least one prescription a month over a long period. Rather than paying the standard £9.90 a time for a prescription every time, patients could be saving hundreds of pounds.

According to the NHS, an estimated 872,000 patients could potentially have saved around £35 million (£41 each on average) in 2023/24 by purchasing a 12-month PPC.

There are two options and once you've got one, it covers all prescriptions for that time. Three-month prepayment certificates are £32.05 while 12-month prepayment certificates are £114.50.

Patients can also get a certificate specifically for hormone replacement therapy which costs £19.80 for 12 months. Those interested can apply for the certificates via the NHS Prescriptions site.

If you're prescribed common medication such as painkillers or dermatology creams, it may be cheaper to buy them over the counter rather than paying for a prescription.

Nevertheless, it's up to the individual to calculate the cheapest option here as, if you use a lot of medication, getting a doctor's bulk prescription may be cheaper.