Buy ‘season ticket’ for prescriptions
AN ORMSKIRK pharmacist is encouraging people to save money on their prescriptions.
Shamir Patel said that hundreds of thousands of people were missing out on savings from the prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) system.
The certificate allows for an unlimited number of prescriptions to be bought for a set charge in a three or 12-month period – for either £29.10 or £104.
Shamir, of online pharmacy Chemist-4-U.com, in Ormskirk, is urging people to make the most of the scheme.
He said: “Each prescription costs £8.60, so if you need four a month then you’re instantly saving money by buying a threemonth PPC for £29.10.
“If you have regular, ongoing repeat prescriptions then the savings can be anywhere above £285 a year.
“The Government don’t tend to publicise PPCs very well, but if you’re not entitled to a repeat prescription then it’s a nobrainer.”
For example, people requiring two prescriptions a month would save just over £100 a year with a 12-month PPC.
PPCs, sometimes referred to a health “season ticket”, cover all NHS prescriptions for people in England, including dental prescriptions, no matter how many items are needed.
There are number of payment options available, and the 12-month PPC can be bought through 10 monthly direct debit instalments.
Prescriptions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are free, and some people in England are entitled to free prescriptions, including those under the age of 16 or those aged 60 or over.
Pregnant women and those who have had a baby in the previous 12 months are also entitled to free prescriptions.
Shamir added: “Buying a PPC is quick and easy online using the NHS Business Services Authority website.
“You can then show the email receipt at the pharmacy.”
The PPCs can be bought online and start from the day that the application is submitted, unless a different date is requested.
However, the start date must be within one month before or after the date that the application is made.