Moving from Scotland to England - NHS Prescription cost

vijayrao

Hi,

I am moving from Scotland to England and had few questions about NHS prescription.

Currently, I am on High Blood Pressure medication. At the moment I get my medication by repeat prescription and I can order for 2 months at a time. In Scotland, I don't pay any additional fees or money for this.

I understand that in England we have to pay for each prescription. If I understand correctly I have to pay £10 for each prescription and then request for my medication. I was informed that I can only order for 1 month and cannot order for 2 months at a time.

Moreover, my high blood pressure medication costs only £2.50 for a whole month of medication per month. So why should I pay £10 per month to get a repeat prescription? Financially it does not make sense.

Does anyone have any idea how it works? Thanks in advance.

Regards,
vj

Toothsmith

You can get a prepayment certificate. It costs £104 and covers all prescriptions for 12 months.

MSE has just published an article about it (or rather about how many people don't take advantage of it when they should!) https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2019/07/over-a-million-could-have-saved-with-a-prescription--season-tick/?_ga=2.186568553.1726181285.1563690820-2009381091.1456729511

Sounds like it's the way you should go

[Deleted User]

Hi,
I work in primary care and if you are stable on your medication your gp should be happy to give you 2 months or more at a time if you ask.
Pre payment certificates can save you money if you get 4 or more prescriptions in 3 months, or 14 or more in 12 months. Hope that helps.

vijayrao

Toothsmith wrote: »

You can get a prepayment certificate. It costs £104 and covers all prescriptions for 12 months.


Sounds like it's the way you should go

Hi
Many thanks for your quick response. Much appreciated. However, it still does not make financial sense. In my case, the medication I take would only cost me £25 for 6 months( onlinedoctor-superdrug-amlodipine )or £50 for 12 month. Why should I pay £105 for the certificate?

Thanks

missile

vijayrao wrote: »

Hi
Many thanks for your quick response. Much appreciated. However, it still does not make financial sense. In my case, the medication I take would only cost me £25 for 6 months( onlinedoctor-superdrug-amlodipine )or £50 for 12 month. Why should I pay £105 for the certificate?

Thanks

It is swings and roundabouts, some will pay much less than the cost of their drugs.

You have the option to buy on line if that suits you better.:money:

[Deleted User]

Simply put, you pay the charges when you move to England, or you don’t get your medication from your GP/Pharmacy.

pmduk

The prescription charge is a tax, taxes rarely make sense. However in this case NHS England offers several treatments not readily available in the devolved nations. It's one of the costs to be considered when moving.