The cost of prescriptions is rising again this year, with those who pay having to find an extra 30p per item from April 1. The hike - from £9.35 to £9.65 - is an increase of 3.2% overall and is the first rise in two years after the price was frozen last April for the first time in 12 years due to the cost of living crisis.
Although England is the only country in the UK that still charges for prescriptions, with patients in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland getting theirs free, nearly 90% of prescriptions dispensed are free of charge, according to Government figures, and many are not aware that they might not need to pay for their medicines if they fall into certain groups.
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