Pharmacy contractors: For more information about RTEC, including how to register, go to PSNC’s website.
RTEC lets your local pharmacy see if you need to pay for your NHS prescriptions. They will do this when you pick up a prescription, or when it’s sent out to you.
This means you can:
- be sure you’re exempt from paying for your prescriptions
- save money if you did not know you were entitled to free prescriptions
- spend less time at the counter checking to see if you’re exempt from paying, and signing the declaration
The service aims to help reduce fraud and error in the NHS by making sure prescriptions are claimed correctly.
Exemptions included
Currently, the following exemptions are included:
- maternity exemption certificates
- medical exemption certificates
- 3 or 12 month Prescription Prepayment Certificates that cover all NHS prescriptions
- HC2 certificates
- NHS tax credit exemption certificates
- Income support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit
The pharmacy team will tell you if you need to pay, but will not be able to tell you why you’re exempt.
You may still be asked to provide proof that you do not need to pay for your prescriptions. You can check if you are entitled to free prescriptions.
If your exemption cannot be found, you’ll need to complete and sign the prescription form as normal. You can check if your exemption certificate is still valid.
Keeping your details up to date
To check if you need to pay, your pharmacy team will use your:
- NHS number
- surname
- date of birth
- postcode
These details will be checked automatically against details held for your exemption.
Make sure your details are correct on your exemption, and match the details held at your GP and pharmacy.