Guide
NHS prescription prepayment certificate (PPC): current prices
Updated
A PPC is a flat-rate season ticket for NHS prescriptions in England. If you pay for prescriptions regularly, it is almost always the first thing to check.
Cost of a PPC: current prices
| Certificate | Price | Pays off at |
|---|---|---|
| 3-month PPC | £32.05 | 4+ items in 3 months |
| 12-month PPC | £114.50 | 12+ items in 12 months |
| HRT PPC (12 months) | £19.80 | 3+ HRT items a year |
Prices checked on the NHSBSA page on 15 August 2026 (nhsbsa.nhs.uk). PPC charges are reviewed each April, check the NHSBSA page for the current figure before buying. The HRT PPC covers listed hormone replacement therapy items only; the standard PPCs cover every NHS prescription item.
PPC checker: the breakeven maths
The per-item charge is £9.90, so a 12-month PPC at £114.50 costs the same as 11.6 items, meaning it wins at 12 or more items a year. The 3-month PPC at £32.05 costs the same as 3.2 items, so it wins at 4 or more items in three months. One regular medicine collected monthly is already 12 items a year.
| Items per year | Pay per item | 12-month PPC | Saving with PPC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | £108.90 | £114.50 | PPC costs £5.60 more |
| 12 | £118.80 | £114.50 | £4.30 |
| 24 | £237.60 | £114.50 | £123.10 |
| 48 | £475.20 | £114.50 | £360.70 |
How to buy one
- Buy online at nhsbsa.nhs.uk, by phone, or at some pharmacies. It can start up to a month back or a month ahead.
- For the 12-month certificate you can spread the cost over 10 monthly direct debit instalments (£11.45 a month at the current price).
- Keep the certificate (digital or card), you declare it when you collect prescriptions.
Refunds and the month you already paid
If you paid per item in the month before your PPC start date, or bought a PPC and then became exempt, you can claim a refund, ask for an FP57 receipt at the time you pay (it cannot be issued later) and claim within 3 months. Partial refunds on 12-month PPCs are available in limited circumstances, e.g. if you become exempt or the certificate holder dies.
Buy only from nhsbsa.nhs.uk or an official pharmacy outlet. Third-party sites resell PPCs with a markup, the certificate is identical.