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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Kate Lally

Martin Lewis shares how to get your NHS prescriptions cheaper

Martin Lewis has warned that people who regularly pay for prescriptions could be spending a lot more than they need to.

The Money Saving Expert founder said he wanted to "spread the word" so that people are not left out of pocket.

England, Mr Lewis explained, is the only one of the four UK nations that charges for prescriptions.

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He said it is "frustrating to hear that many people are still paying more than they need to – especially at a time when every penny counts towards bills".

More than one million people in England paid more than they needed to for prescriptions in the year to April 2021, according to Money Saving Expert analysis - and this number is rising annually.

Figures from a Freedom of Information request told MSE more than a million people in England missed out on average savings of £40 because they did not use a prescription "season ticket".

How it works

A single prescription currently costs £9.35, while an annual season ticket currently costs £108.10 – so you'll save money if you buy 12 or more prescriptions in a year.

Alternatively, a three-month season ticket currently costs £30.25, so you'll save if you buy four or more prescriptions in three months.

Martin Lewis said: ""We need to spread the word to anyone who regularly gets prescriptions – including some with chronic illnesses – to check out prepayment certificates.

"My simple rule of thumb is if you get more than one prescription a month, on average these 'season tickets' are the cheapest option as they cap what you need to pay. For a one-off payment, you get unlimited prescriptions for either three months or a year.

"So someone getting, say, two prescriptions a month would save over £100 a year. If you think that's you, check it out now in case we see another price hike at the beginning of spring."

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