Practitioner Services - Enabling Primary Care

Prescription Pre-payment Certificates

What is a Prescription Pre-payment Certificate (PPC)?
What can I use a PPC for?
Will PPCs purchased at the reduced Scottish rate be valid elsewhere in the UK?
What if a patient has purchased a PPC which will remain valid beyond 1 April 2011?
If I qualify for a refund of PPC how much will I be entitled to?
Is there a time limit to apply for a PPC refund?
How do I apply for a refund of a PPC?
I have lost my PPC who do I contact to obtain a duplicate?

What is a Prescription Pre-payment Certificate (PPC)?

A PPC is valid for either a 4 or 12 month period and covers a patient for repeat NHS prescription charges, if the patient is not entitled to free NHS prescriptions. PPCs are no longer sold in Scotland as the Scottish Government abolished prescription charges on 1 April 2011.

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What can I use a PPC for?

You can only use a PPC for your own NHS prescriptions within the period that the certificate is valid for.

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Will PPCs purchased at the reduced Scottish rate be valid elsewhere in the UK?

Yes. PPCs purchased in Scotland will be valid for prescriptions dispensed elsewhere in the UK during its period of validity.

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What if a patient has purchased a PPC which will remain valid beyond 1 April 2011?

There will not be any refunds for valid months remaining on PPCs following the abolition of charges in April 2011. Patients should have been aware of the impending abolition of charges when purchasing a PPC and made a decision based on their needs. Any PPCs which remain valid beyond 1 April 2011 can continue to be used if a prescription is being dispensed in England.

However, you may apply for a refund if you have become exempt due to one of the following conditions: -

Age between 16 – 18 and currently in full-time education
Over the age of 60
Either have a maternity or medical exemption certificate
Have a valid War Pension exemption certificate
You or your partner receives Income Support
You or your partner receives 'Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (from 27 October 2008)'
You or your partner receives ‘Pension Credit Guarantee Credit’
You or your partner receives Income based Jobseekers Allowance
You or your partner receives Tax Credits Exemption Certificate
Currently on NHS Low Income Scheme HC2 Certificate
The prepayment certificate holder becomes deceased

Note: Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance do not count, as they are not income based.

Abolition of Prescription Charges
The conditions under which you can apply for a refund of a PPC are as stated above and are subject to Scottish Government regulations that require an act of parliament to change or revoke. 

Until such time as the Scottish Government considers passing the necessary legislation, Practitioner Services cannot process any requests for refunds where these do not comply with the current regulations.

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If I qualify for a refund of PPC how much will I be entitled to?

You can get a full refund if, within the first month of a 4 or 12 month PPC, the PPC holder:

  • becomes exempted from the list mentioned above
  • goes in to hospital and remains there until the expiry of the certificate
  • dies before the certificate runs out
  • goes into hospital and dies there before the expiry of the certificate


You can get a partial refund if, after the first month of a 4 or 12 month PPC start date, the PPC holder:

  • dies
  • goes into hospital and dies there before the certificate runs out

You can get a partial refund for 12 month PPCs if, in months 2 – 4 following the start date, the PPC holder:

  • becomes exempted from the list mentioned above
  • goes into hospital and remains there until the expiry of the certificate

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Is there a time limit to applying for a PPC refund?

You must make your claim for a refund within the following time limits:

  • Following the death of a PPC holder: 24 months of death
  • 4 months PPC holders must claim within 4 months of the expiry date of the PPC
  • 12 months PPC holders must claim within 7 months of the expiry date of the PPC
  • If you go into hospital and remain there until the certificate expires the refund must be claimed within 3 months of the PPC expiry date

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How do I apply for a refund of a PPC?

If you are entitled to a refund you can download, print and complete a PPC refund application form(PDF).

Please print this form double sided so that both sides are back to back.

If you do not have the facility to print the PPC refund form you can obtain a PPC refund form from your local pharmacy.

Please photocopy any evidence that states that you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions so that you can send this with the application form.

Please send the completed application form together with the required evidence to the appropriate Practitioner Services office in the Medical Contact Details section.

A refund cheque will be sent to your home address by post. If you do not have a bank account please nominate someone who has one on your behalf.

Please allow 28 days for the above process to be completed, before contacting us about your application.

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I have lost my PPC who do I contact to obtain a duplicate?

Contact the appropriate Practitioner Services office in the Medical Contact Details section.

A duplicate PPC will be posted to your home address.

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