'It's important patients are aware': Pharmacist urges patients to check if they qualify for free prescriptions
There are a number of patients in England who can benefit from free prescriptions 🩺
- A leading pharmacist is urging patients to check if they could get free prescriptions.
- There are some patients in England who can benefit from free prescriptions.
- Find out if you meet the criteria.
A leading pharmacist has urged patients to check whether they are eligible for free medicine and vaccines at their local pharmacy.
George Sandhu, deputy superintendent of Well Pharmacy, wants everyone to be aware of their rights when it comes to paying for prescriptions.
Mr Sandhu said: “It is important that patients are aware of exactly what is available to them. For the elderly, we offer free prescriptions and jabs to ensure that Covid and Flu are less severe throughout the winter.
“Younger patients are also eligible for free prescriptions from 16 to 18 if they are in full-time education, as well as new and expectant mothers.
“People who receive benefits should also know they can receive their medication for free and ensure that they are in good health throughout the winter.”
Who is eligible for free prescriptions?
There are a number of patients in England who can benefit from free prescriptions due to their employment status or disabilities. Those over the age of 60 and under the age of 16 years are also able to receive their prescriptions free of charge.
Students who are in full-time education and between 16 and 18 are also eligible to receive prescription-only medication for free, but would still be required to pay for over-the-counter treatments.
Expectant mothers or women who have a child under a year old are also able to receive their prescription medication for free, too.
Patients who receive one of the following benefits, including income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, or income-related employment and support allowance. Other benefits that patients receive free prescriptions include universal credit and pension credit guaranteed credit.
Who is eligible for a free flu vaccine?
The groups eligible for a free flu vaccine include those over the age of 65, pregnant women, people in long-stay residential care homes and carers. Free jabs are also available for those who have a weakened immune system and those living with people who have a weakened immune system.
However, for any patients looking to get a Covid booster jab, eligibility for free jabs has changed, and just those over the age of 75 or turning 75 by the end of January 2026, residents in a care home for older adults and anyone immunosuppressed over the age of six months will be jabbed for free.
You can find out whether or not you’re eligible for free prescriptions or the flu vaccine at NHS.UK.