You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:

• are 60 or over
• are under 16
• are 16 to 18 and in full-time education
• are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
• have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
• are an NHS inpatient

You're also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Universal Credit and meet the criteria

If you are not entitled to free prescriptions and you think you will have to pay for four or more prescriptions in three months, or 13 or more items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC).

You can only use the PPC for your own NHS prescriptions. The PPC will start from the date of your application or phone call unless you request a different start date. You can request a start date of up to one month earlier or one month later than the date of your application or phone call.

Details of the current prescription charges and prepayment certificate costs are available from the NHS Health Costs Webpage

You can choose to pay for a 12 month PPC in a lump sum or by 10 monthly direct debit instalments. If you pay by direct debit you are entering into a commitment to pay all the instalments.

You can order a PPC online, by phoning 0845 850 0030 or by filling in an FP95 form. An FP95 form is available from some pharmacies and GP surgeries.

Remember to apply for a new PPC in good time. If you don’t you will have to pay prescription charges when your old PPC runs out.

If you have to pay a prescription charge while you are waiting for your PPC, you can’t get a refund unless you have an NHS receipt. The NHS receipt form is an FP57. The pharmacist or dispensing doctor can only issue an FP57 at the time you pay a prescription charge. They can’t give you one later. You can claim for the refund of prescription charges up to three months after paying. The FP57 form tells you what to do.

You don’t need a computer to use EPS. You can use the Electronic Prescription Service as long as both your GP surgery offers the service (all Surgeries in Bury offer the service).

You can always change or cancel your nomination. Simply speak to your GP or a member of the dispensing team before you order your next prescription. Allow time for the update to take place, to avoid your next prescription being sent to the wrong place.

EPS is reliable, secure and confidential. Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now.

They will also be able to see whether you’ve nominated more than one dispenser and can check where your prescriptions will be sent to.

If you are on repeat prescriptions, dispensers will also see all of the items on your reorder slip.

You will not have to spend your time going to your GP practice each time to pick up your paper prescription. Instead your GP will send it automatically to the pharmacy, with less chance of it getting lost.

You should not have to wait as long for your prescription items, as often there will be time to get your repeat prescription items ready before you arrive. If any of the medicines on your prescription are out of stock when we receives your prescription, we will ordered in and get it ready for you