The Scottish Government

Here's a Difficult Pill to Swallow

Millions of pounds are lost to the NHS each year when people wrongly claim free prescriptions

YOU CAN HELP BY SHOWING YOUR PHARMACIST PROOF
OF YOUR ENTITLEMENT TO A FREE PRESCRIPTION.

'Do you get free prescriptions?'

Many people receive free prescriptions. But some people who claim them are not entitled to do so. People who mistakenly or falsely claim a free prescription take millions of pounds out of the NHS each year. In future your pharmacist will ask you for proof of your entitlement.

The list opposite will help you check whether you are entitled to free prescriptions. If you are, please take proof of entitlement - as shown on the back page of this leaflet - with you when you take your prescription to the pharmacy.

If you forget to take proof with you, you will receive the prescription without charge, but checks will be made on people who do not provide evidence. If you are subsequently found through checking to have claimed exemption wrongly, you will be asked to repay the charge. You will also be served with a notice requiring payment of an additional penalty charge.

USE THIS LIST TO CHECK WHETHER YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A FREE PRESCRIPTION.

Children aged under 16

Young people aged 16-18 in full time education

People aged 60 or over

Women who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months

People with a listed medical condition (see leaflet HC11, available from main post offices, social security offices and hospitals)

War/MoD pensioner if the prescription is for the pensionable disability

People who have a continuing physical disability which means that they cannot go out without help from another person

People and their partner getting


Income Support


Income based Job Seeker's Allowance


Family Credit (until 4 April 2000)


Disability Working Allowance (until 4 April 2000)


Working Families' Tax Credit

Maximum credit or credit reduced by £70 or less


Disabled Person's Tax Credit

People and their partner with an HC2 certificate

People who have bought a pre-payment certificate

IF YOU ARE NOT IN ONE OF THESE GROUPS, YOU MUST PAY FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTION

USE THIS LIST TO CHECK THE TYPES OF PROOF OF ENTITLEMENT TO SHOW TO THE PHARMACIST.

Under 16
Evidence of date of birth, eg birth

certificate, passport, Child Benefit

order book. If the child is under 12,the GP will mark the age on the prescription form

16-18 in full time education
Evidence of educational status and date of birth

60 years or over
Evidence of date of birth, eg birth certificate, passport, retirement pension book, senior rail pass, driving licence

Maternity exemption
Exemption certificate EC92

Medical exemption
Exemption certificate EC92

War/MoD pensioner
Exemption certificate

Income support
Giro. Order book. Form FF260A

Job Seeker's Allowance
Giro. Form FF260A

Family credit
Award Notification. Order book.
Form FCS 412

Disability Working Allowance
Award Notification. Order book.
Form DWA 209

Working Families' Tax Credit
Tax Credit Award Notice

Disabled Person's Tax Credit
Tax Credit Award Notice

NHS Low Income Scheme
HC2, NHS charges certificate for full help

Prepayment certificate
Prepayment certificate EC96

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