Quick links on this page:
- How much will I now pay for prescriptions?
- I already get free prescriptions – will I now have to pay £4.00?
- What is a Prescription Pre-payment Certificate (PPC)?
- How much will a PPC cost me?
- If I buy a reduced cost PPC, will I get free prescriptions in other UK countries?
- Where can I buy a PPC?
- What if I have purchased a PPC prior to the reduction in cost?
- I am normally resident in Scotland but currently live elsewhere in the UK. Will I pay the reduced prescription charges?
- I live in Scotland but am registered with a GP practice in England – will I be eligible to pay the reduced prescription charges?
- What is an Entitlement Card?
- How do I get an Entitlement Card?
- More questions?
Q How much will I now pay for prescriptions?
A On 1st April 2009, the cost of an NHS prescription was reduced to £4.00 per item. The reduced Scottish prescription charge will apply only to Scottish prescriptions dispensed in Scotland.
Q I already get free prescriptions – will I now have to pay £4.00?
A No. If you already get free prescriptions, for example if you are over 60, you will continue to do so. Current exemption arrangements will continue until the planned abolition of prescription charges in 2011.
Q What is a Prescription Pre-payment Certificate (PPC)?
A A PPC is a pre-paid certificate which covers the cost of all NHS prescription items dispensed while the certificate is valid. PPCs can be purchased for a four or twelve month period.
Q How much will a Prescription Pre-payment Certificate cost me?
A On 1st April 2009, the cost of PPCs came down to £13.00 for a four-month certificate and £38.00 for a twelve-month certificate.
Q If I buy a reduced cost PPC, will I get free prescriptions in other UK countries?
A Yes. Your Scottish PPC will be valid throughout the UK.
Q Where can I buy a PPC?
A PPCs are available over the counter from your local community pharmacist or dispensing doctor. Alternatively a PPC can be purchased via post from NHS National Services Scotland, Practitioner Services Division (PSD). PSD provides administrative services to the NHS National Services Scotland. Further information can be found at www.psd.scot.nhs.uk.
Q What if I have purchased a PPC prior to the reduction in cost?
A Your current PPC will remain valid until the expiry date shown on the certificate. There are no partial price refunds for the difference between the new costs and the previous costs.
Q I am normally resident in Scotland but currently live elsewhere in the UK. Will I pay the reduced prescription charge?
A No. If you live outwith Scotland, the amount of the prescription charge you pay will be decided by that country.
Q I live in Scotland but am registered with a GP practice in England – will I be eligible to pay the reduced prescription charges?
A Yes, but only if you present your prescriptions for dispensing in Scotland together with an Entitlement Card (see next question).
Q What is an Entitlement Card?
A An Entitlement Card entitles patients who live in Scotland but are registered with a local GP practice in England, to pay the Scottish prescription charge, but only when a prescription is presented, with the Entitlement Card, for dispensing in Scotland. The name and address on the card must match those on the English prescription form.
The card does not entitle the holder to pay the Scottish rate outwith Scotland.
Q How do I get an Entitlement Card?
A An Entitlement Card is issued free of charge to eligible patients on receipt of a signed application form.
Application forms can be obtained from your GP practice or alternatively from Practicioners Service Division (PSD) of NHS National Services Scotland at the Glasgow regional office (www.psd.scot.nhs.co.uk.
Q More questions?
A If you have any other questions, click here to email us and we will do our best to answer them.
