Medication Charges – New Prescription Prepayment Certificate

HRT medication charges – new prescription prepayment certificate

Patients going through the menopause in England will be able to access cheaper HRT prescriptions from 1 April with a new ‘season ticket’. This could save hundreds of thousands of people £100s in prescription charges each year, according to the Government. Here’s what you need to know.

Many who are experiencing the menopause take medication known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) each month to help with their symptoms. How much this costs depends on the medication taken and how frequently.

However, from 1 April, people who need HRT due to the menopause will instead be able to buy a prescription ‘season ticket’ – known as a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) – which will last for 12 months and cost £19.30, the equivalent of two individual prescription charges. 

You’ll be able to use the PPC for as many menopause prescription items as you need throughout the year and you can apply for the HRT ‘season ticket’ for as many years as needed. 

You can use your season ticket for HRT items including tablets, gels, and patches

You’ll be able to use your prescription certificate against an unlimited number of HRT prescription items, including patches, tablets and gels. There will be no limit to how many times the certificate can be used while it is valid. You can see the full list of menopause prescription items that will be available on the Gov.uk website.

You’ll need to apply for your menopause prescription certificate either through the NHS Business Services Authority website or in-person at a pharmacy registered to sell PPCs. 

Once it’s granted, you’ll be able to use it straight away on or after 1 April 2023. You can’t apply for one now before prescription prices change on 1 April. You’ll need to show either a digital or paper copy of your PPC to your pharmacist when collecting your prescription, as well as completing the exemption declaration on the NHS prescription form.