Prescription charges in England are set to rise next month. Patients will now be paying £9.65 for a single item, up 3% from the current £9.35 cost.
MoneySavingExpert (MSE) is now reminding customers who regularly pay for prescriptions to check if they can save money with a so-called season ticket. These let consumers prepay for multiple prescriptions over a set period.
A recent MSE investigation found around a million patients could save money by paying for their prescriptions via season ticket. It would save them around £40 a year.
Currently, a 12-month prescription certificate can save you at least £4.10 a year if you buy at least 12 prescriptions. Alternatively, a three-month season ticket can save you at least £7.15 if you buy four or more prescriptions
Gareth Shaw, MoneySavingExpert’s deputy editor, said: "Prescription costs, including the price of a 12-month season ticket, are set to rise from April 1 and so now there's an even greater incentive to purchase an annual certificate before prices go up. If you buy more than one prescription a month then a season ticket is a great way to save money, especially at a time when every penny counts. And for those needing to buy two prescriptions a month an annual pass could save you more than £100 a year.
"Recent MSE research shows that more than a million people in England missed out on savings of around £40 in the 12 months to April last year because they didn't buy an annual certificate and so hopefully the latest price rise will push people to act."
You can buy a season ticket online, over the phone on 0300 330 1341, or at many pharmacies. It can be paid for by card or by direct debit.
How much will prescriptions cost?
Prescription type |
Current cost |
Cost from 1 April |
Single item |
£9.35 |
£9.65 (up 30p) |
Three-month prepayment certificate |
£30.25 |
£31.25 (up £1) |
12-month prepayment certificate |
£108.10 |
£111.60 (up £3.50) |
- |
£19.30 |
