Prescription Calculator is a free tool to help people in England work out whether buying an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) would save them money on their prescription costs.
Each NHS prescription item in England currently costs £9.90. If you need multiple prescription items regularly, these costs can add up quickly. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland offer free prescriptions, so this calculator is relevant to England only.
A PPC is like a season ticket for prescriptions. You pay a fixed amount upfront and then receive unlimited prescriptions for the duration of the certificate. Two options are available: a 3-month PPC and a 12-month PPC. If you need more than a certain number of items in that period, the PPC saves you money.
Before considering a PPC, check whether you qualify for free prescriptions. You are entitled to free prescriptions if you:
Our calculator compares the cost of paying for each prescription individually against the cost of a 3-month or 12-month PPC. It recommends the most cost-effective option based on the number of items you expect to need.
All calculations are performed in your browser. No personal data is collected or stored. Prescription costs are based on current NHS charges for England.
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only. Always check the latest NHS prescription charges and eligibility criteria on the official NHS website. We are not affiliated with the NHS or any government body.