The cost of pre-paid prescription certificates (PPC) will remain frozen for another year, the DH’s minister of state for expenditure Philip Dunne confirmed today (March 16).

The three-month PPC will remain at £29.10, while an annual PPC will stay at £104.

“Taken together, and in the interest of fairness, this means prescription charges are expected to rise broadly in line with inflation,” Mr Dunne said in a statement.

Patients with certain medical conditions – including cancer, epilepsy and diabetes – as well as pregnant women, new mothers, children under 16, anyone over 60, and those on a low income, are exempt from prescription charges.

The charge increased by 20p last year, following a 15p rise the year before.

The Twitter reaction

@blmerriman how can you justify raising taxes to the ill when you promised no tax rises - slip this one through quietly

— The MMP (@TheMMP1) March 16, 2017

@ParkinsonsUK Of course, those in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales with PD get their prescriptions free...

— Ben Merriman (@blmerriman) March 16, 2017

@ChemistDruggist @DHgovuk Pre-payments become better and better value year after year.

— Allisons Chemist (@AllisonsChemist) March 16, 2017