Price of the prescription will increase by a 15p minimum with greater price rises for 3-month prescription prepayment certificates and 12-month prescription prepayment certificates.
The current prescription price is £9.00 to rise to £9.15.
Prescription prepayment certificates cover the cost of all prescriptions over a certain period.
The 3-month prescription prepayment certificate will increase from £29.10 to £29.65.
The 12-month prescription prepayment certificate will increase from £104.00 to £105.90.
The rise will occur on Wednesday 1st April and the charge will apply upon collection of your prescription.
According to the NHS, the rise will only affect patients in England, with prescriptions being free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Chief Executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee Simon Dukes, stated:
“Prescription charges represent a Government tax which community pharmacy teams have to collect: as health professionals, we would like to see their time being better spent on the provision of advice and clinical services to NHS patients.”
With an increase in price on prescriptions in the current climate, places extra pressure on patients.
“Whilst we recognise the financial pressures that the NHS is under, raising the prescription tax once again runs the risk of those most in need not getting their medicines – ultimately adding to the NHS bill elsewhere.”
According to the Department of Health, led by Matt Hancock, this increase in cost is ‘in line with inflation’.
Charges for prescription wigs, bras, spinal and fabric supports will also be increased in line with inflation.
Claire Anderson, chairwoman of the English pharmacy board at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said “Raising the amount people have to pay for their prescriptions is deeply concerning.”
“People now may not be able to afford their prescriptions and shouldn’t be in a position where they have to ration or completely go without their medicines.”
“This could lead to more people becoming ill and would only put more strain on an already stretched NHS.”
