Charges for NHS prescriptions, wigs and fabric supports will increase on 1 May 2024.
The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 were laid before Parliament on 3 April 2024. The regulations set out the new NHS prescription charges in England.
Charges for prescriptions and prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) will increase by 2.59% (rounded to the nearest 5 pence) from 1 May 2024. Charges for wigs and fabric supports will increase by the same rate.
A prescription will cost £9.90 for each medicine or appliance dispensed, an increase of 25 pence. The 3-month PPC will cost £32.05 and the 12-month PPC will cost £114.50.
The hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC will cost £19.80, an increase of 50 pence. This is because the rate is set at twice the single prescription charge.
Buying an NHS pre-payment certificate has saved me hundreds of pounds due to the amount of medication I take for my asthma. I now buy an annual PPC, which I pay each month, to help me budget.
Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs
Charges from 1 May 2024
Full details of the new charges from 1 May 2024 are in the table below:
| Item | Current charge (1 April 2023 to 30 April 2024) | Charge from 1 May 2024 | Change in £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single prescription charge | £9.65 | £9.90 | £0.25 |
| 3-month PPC | £31.25 | £32.05 | £0.80 |
| 12-month PPC | £111.60 | £114.50 | £2.90 |
| HRT PPC | £19.30 | £19.80 | £0.50 |
| Surgical bra | £31.70 | £32.50 | £0.80 |
| Abdominal or spinal support | £47.80 | £49.05 | £1.25 |
| Stock acrylic wig | £78.15 | £80.15 | £2.00 |
| Partial human hair wig | £207.00 | £212.35 | £5.35 |
| Full bespoke human hair wig | £302.70 | £310.55 | £7.85 |
