NHS prescription charges to increase from 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 charges for 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.

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