Pharmacy NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) Process

Before selling a PPC

Remind patients to check if they’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions. They can do this at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check
Make sure they pay for their prescriptions. If not, they do not require a PPC.
Establish if an HRT PPC is more suitable. If the prescription item is covered by an HRT PPC, the patient should consider if an HRT PPC is more suitable for them. Refer to the HRT PPC process.
Establish if buying a PPC would save the patient money. Has the patient been, or likely to be, prescribed 4 or more items in 3 months, or 12 or more items in 12 months? If not, charge the patient as normal. Issue them an FP57 if they are unsure.

Number of prescribed items each month	Saving with a 12 month PPC	Saving with a 3 month PPC
2	£123 per year	More than £27 in 3 months
3	More than £241 per year	More than £57 in 3 months
4	More than £360 per year	More than £86 in 3 months

If the patient does not want to buy a PPC today, charge them as usual. Issue them an FP57 if they are unsure.

This can be between one month before and one month after the date of their application.

They do not need to give you this but if they do they will receive their PPC by email immediately.

Process all PPCs sold in the pharmacy within one month.
Make sure the ‘Date sold’ is accurately recorded. The amount deducted is based on the date sold, not the PPC start date.
As long as the PPC covers the date of dispensing, the patient can collect their NHS prescriptions for free.
They should mark box ‘F’ on the prescription form and sign the declaration.
If you notice an error in the application, contact us straightaway.

For more information, pharmacy teams can: