THE SAVVY PATIENT

HAVE you heard about prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs)? Chances are, you haven’t — but behind the rather cumbersome name is a very useful thing.

A PPC is a way of getting as many NHS prescriptions as you need for a set price over a certain time frame, by paying a fee upfront. For instance, a three-month PPC is £29.10; for a year, it’s £104. If you’re paying for your prescriptions ( in England, £8.60 each), you can see how this could save cash.

It was reported last week that more than 800,000 people would have been better off if they’d bought a PPC. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist, or call 0300 330 1341 to buy one.