Thousands of people don't know they are eligible for free prescriptions

The National Health Service has dispensed almost a billion free drugs in the last year, but many people may still miss out on free prescriptions without realizing they qualify.

Getting a medical diagnosis and a prescription can sometimes mean two bad news at the same time, and repetitive monthly prescriptions can drain your household budget forever. In an era of cost-of-living crisis, lowering these costs can be important for both mental and physical health.

Last year, the National Health Service provided nearly a billion drugs for free, with almost 90 percent of all prescriptions filled free of charge.

Fortunately, people with diseases such as cancer, diabetes and epilepsy are eligible for free treatment, but not only people with chronic diseases. In fact, millions of people in the UK are eligible for free prescriptions but may not know they meet the eligibility criteria, which vary by age, income and occupational status.

In Scotland and Wales, all prescriptions are absolutely free.

Currently in England, anyone over 60 and under 16 years of age can get an unlimited number of prescribed medicines free of charge.

Other groups that use free recipes include:

• pregnant women or those who have given birth within the last 12 months with a valid certificate
• students and pupils over 16 years old
• persons suffering from certain diseases and holding a valid medical certificate
• people with a permanent physical disability that does not allow them to leave the house without assistance, with a valid certificate of incapacity for work
• military pensioners who have a certificate of release and who have been issued an order in connection with a recognized disability
• every patient admitted to the NHS
• people receiving social benefits such as universal credit if they also meet NHS financial criteria.

Universal credit applicants are not eligible for free prescriptions, but those who earn less than a certain amount are eligible.

People on £435 or less per month, or £935 if they are responsible for a child, should be eligible for free prescriptions. If you receive one of these benefits, your partner and dependent young people under 20 are also eligible for free NHS prescriptions.

You can check if you qualify for free prescriptions using the NHS Finder.