For the first time in three years, millions of people across the country will see their prescription costs frozen from today. This move is expected to save patients approximately £18 million next year, keeping the cost of a single charge prescription under a tenner, at £9.90.

Those already exempt from paying for their prescriptions will continue to be so. The freeze also applies to three-month and annual prepayment certificates for 2025/26.

Annual charges can be paid in installments, allowing those needing regular medicines to get them for just over £2 a week. Here's the full breakdown of the new NHS prescription charges:

  • Single Prescription Charge: £9.90 per item. This means that if your prescription includes multiple medications, you will be charged £9.90 for each individual item.
  • Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC): 3-month PPC: £32.05. 12-month PPC: £114.50.

This freeze on prescription charges is part of wider government action to address the cost of living crisis. This includes the introduction of free breakfast clubs, the expansion of childcare through 300 new school-based nurseries, reducing the cost of school uniforms, and extending the fuel duty freeze – all aimed at easing financial pressures on families nationwide.

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Last month, the government agreed to provide Community Pharmacy England with an additional £617 million over two years. This investment accompanies reforms designed to deliver a range of patient benefits, as part of the government's agenda to shift the focus of care from hospitals into the community, reports the Manchester Evening News. This allows people to more easily access care and support on their high streets.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, announced: "This government's Plan for Change will always put working people first, and our moves today to freeze prescription charges will put money back into the pockets of millions of patients."

He further commented on NHS improvements, saying: "Fixing our NHS will be a long road – but by working closer with our pharmacies we're saving money and shifting care to the community where it's closer to your home,".

Streeting also referenced the budget decisions, noting: "We made the difficult but necessary choices at the Budget to fund moves like this and change our NHS so it can once again be there for you when you need it."

It was also highlighted that the current prescription exemptions will remain unaffected, as approximately 89 per cent of prescriptions in England are already dispensed without charge to specific categories including children, those over 60, expectant mothers, and individuals with certain medical conditions.

The announcement further touched upon financial assistance for prescription costs through the NHS low income scheme, confirming its continued availability to qualifying groups such as pensioners, students, state benefit recipients, and care home residents.

In her statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, remarked: "We promised to build an NHS fit for the future, and that started with the £26 billion funding boost I delivered at the Budget, to repair and improve the many vital services it provides.

"Since then, waiting lists are falling, staff are better paid and supported, and today, £18 million has been kept in patient's pockets by freezing prescription charges – easing the cost of living through our Plan for Change, delivering for all."