On 1 April 2023, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) introduced a new Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) to reduce the cost of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for patients.
The certificate will be valid for 12 months and covers an unlimited number of listed HRT medicines for the cost of two single prescription charges. Patients could save money if they pay more than two HRT prescription charges within 12 months.
The HRT PPC will be available to buy in one single payment online at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc, or in-person at some pharmacies. Patients can call 0300 330 2089 for help and support.
Before buying an HRT PPC, a patient should check if:
- they’re eligible for free NHS prescriptions using the eligibility checker: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check
- their medicine is covered by the HRT PPC. For a list of eligible HRT medication, visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc-medicines
- a 3 or 12 month PPC is more suitable. It covers all NHS prescriptions, not just HRT items. Visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc
The Drug Tariff will be updated in April 2023 to list the HRT prescription items covered by the HRT PPC.
HRT PPCs sold in pharmacy can be processed through Manage Your Service (MYS) from 1 April 2023.
The suite of FP10 prescription forms and the FP57 receipt and refund claim form are being updated to reflect the change.
Prescribers must complete a separate FP10 for each item covered by the HRT PPC to allow patients to claim the exemption correctly. Items covered by the HRT PPC cannot be prescribed together with any other item on a single FP10 form.
The new FP10 includes an exemption box ‘W’, to enable patients with a valid HRT PPC to claim exemption to which they are entitled. Changes are also being made to the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) and prescribing and dispensing systems. The new FP10 will be available from 1 April 2023.
The new FP57 updates the prescription charges section to enable the dispensing practitioners (or their staff) to specify if the item dispensed is on the Drug Tariff HRT PPC list. The form includes a new exemption box ‘W’, to enable patients to claim a refund of certain NHS HRT prescription charges. The new FP57 will be available soon.
Prescribers and dispensers are encouraged to continue to use the old forms until stocks run out.
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) will process both old and new versions of the FP10 form during the transition period. Patients with a valid HRT PPC should mark box ‘W’ on the prescription form. If the prescription form does not have a box for HRT PPC, patients should tick box ‘F’ instead.
It is the patient’s responsibility to check that they have the right exemption or certificate in place when claiming free NHS prescriptions and signing the declaration on the prescription form.
When using the old FP57, dispensers should complete a separate FP57 for HRT and non-HRT items. For items covered by the HRT PPC, annotate Part A with ‘listed HRT’ and initial the annotation. Patients with a valid HRT PPC should tick box 'F' to claim a refund of prescription charges covered by the HRT PPC.
Read the HRT PPC and new FP10 guidance from DHSC (PDF: 1.17MB)