Statement by , Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Prime Minister has announced that NHS prescription charges in
England will be frozen for the first time in three years.
This builds on wider government action as part of the Plan for
Change to tackle the cost of living crisis and will save patients
around £18 million in 2025-26.
The single charge for prescriptions in England will remain at
£9.90. The cost of prescription prepayment certificates (PPC)
will also remain the same with 3-month PPCs staying at
£32.05,12-month PPCs at £114.50 and the HRT PPC staying at
£19.80.
The charges freeze will also apply to NHS wigs and fabric
supports; these prices will remain at current levels:
- Surgical brassiere £32.50
- Abdominal or spinal support £49.05
- Stock modacrylic wig £80.15
- Partial human hair wig £212.35
- Full bespoke human hair wig £310.55
Around 89% of prescription items in England are already dispensed
free of charge to children, over-60s, pregnant women, and those
with certain medical conditions. This freeze will not impact
current exemptions. All working age adults who would normally pay
for their prescriptions, which is estimated to be around 40% of
the population, could benefit from the freeze.
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 prescription charge freeze builds on wider government action
to tackle the cost of living, including the rollout of free
breakfast clubs, expanded childcare through 300 new school-based
nurseries, lowering the cost of school uniforms, and extending
the fuel duty freeze – all aimed at easing financial pressures on
families across the country.
This announcement also follows news last month of the government
agreeing funding with Community Pharmacy England worth an extra
£617 million over 2 years. The investment comes alongside reforms
to deliver a raft of patient benefits, as part of the
government's agenda to shift the focus of care from hospitals
into the community, so that people can more easily access care
and support on their high streets.
Alongside action to rebuild the NHS, the government's Plan for
Change is focused on growing the economy to improve living
standards across the country. The charges freeze will help
contribute to this.
