Exemptions

Regulations have been approved by the Scottish Parliament to abolish NHS prescription charges in Scotland. From the 1 April 2011, Scottish NHS prescription forms presented in Scotland will not attract a charge.

However, from the 1 April 2011, prescription forms from England will be charged at the new English rate of £7.40. The exception being if the patient is exempt from paying charges as listed as listed below.

The patient doesn't have to pay because he/she is:

is under 16 years of age
is 16, 17 or 18 years of age and in full time education
is 60 years of age or over
has a valid maternity or medical exemption certificate (EC92)
has a valid prescription pre-payment certificate
has a valid War Pension exemption certificate
gets, or has a partner who gets income support
has a partner who gets 'Pension Credit guarantee credit’ (PCGC)
gets, or has a partner who gets Income based Jobseekers Allowance
is entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
is named on a current NHS HC2 certificate
was prescribed free-of-charge contraceptives
was prescribed free-of-charge medicine to treat tuberculosis
gets, or has a partner who gets, income related Employment Support Allowance

If you are entitled to any of the above the Pharmacy may ask you to show evidence that your entitled to your free NHS prescriptions.

NHS Counter Fraud Services also provide guidance on patient exemptions.

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