Charges Uplift for NHS Prescriptions, Wigs and Fabric Supports

Department of Health and Social Care written statement – made at on 15 April 2024.

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Photo of Andrea Leadsom Andrea Leadsom The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care

The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (“the Amendment Regulations”) have been laid before Parliament to increase certain National Health Service charges in England from 1 May 2024.

We have applied an increase of 2.59% (rounded to the nearest 5 pence) across the single prescription charge, 3-month and 12-month prescription pre-payment certificates (PPCs) and the HRT PPC. This year we have increased the prescription charge by 25 pence from £9.65 to £9.90 for each medicine or appliance dispensed. The HRT PPC will cost £19.80, an increase of 50 pence due to its rate being set at twice the single prescription charge; and the 3-month PPC and 12-month PPC will cost £32.05 and £114.50 respectively.

Charges for wigs and fabric supports will also be increased by the same rate. Details of the revised charges from 1 May 2024 can be found in the table below:

2023/4

2024/5 from 1 May

change in £

Single prescription charge

£9.65

£9.90

£0.25

PPC 3 month

£31.25

£32.05

£0.80

PPC 12 month

£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

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