Prescription Charge Changes for 2023

April 3, 2023 at 8:22 am | In Prescribing Extra - Other |

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced changes to the NHS Prescription Charges that take effect from the 1st April 2023.

The prescription charge has increased by 30 pence from £9.35 to £9.65 for each item dispensed. In line with this increase, the price of the 3 and 12 month Pre-Payment certificates has also increased, to £31.25 and £111.60 respectively.

This year also see the introduction of the promised HRT Pre-payment certificate. At a cost of £19.30 it will cover all medicines that are licensed to treat the menopause in the UK. A new area has been added in section 10 of the Drug Tariff listing the covered medicines.

A guidance document advises that prescribers must complete a separate FP10 prescription for products covered by the HRT PPC to allow patients to claim the exemption correctly. Since the certificates can be purchased at a later date and back-dated this change to practice is advised regardless of whether the patient has an HRT PPC at the time of prescribing. It is hoped that digital solutions will be introduced as soon as possible to automate this process.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of the current prescription charge and also the value for money represented by pre-payment certificates, including the new HRT pre-payment certificate.