The cost of an NHS prescription has now risen in what pharmacists describe as a “tax on the working poor”.
Prescriptions will remain free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Tase Oputu, chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England, said: “This is a dark day for patients who will now have to pay nearly £10 for each item on their prescription.
"The relentless annual increase in the prescription charge is making medicines unaffordable for many. This is totally unacceptable. You can, it seems, put a price on health.
“Every day pharmacists are asked by patients who are unable to afford all the items in their prescription which ones they can 'do without'. No one should face a financial barrier to getting the medicines they need to keep them well.
"Prescription charges should be scrapped in England, as they have been in the rest of the UK."
But how much are NHS prescriptions and who is exempt from paying?
How much is an NHS prescription?
From May 1, the charge for a single NHS prescription will rise by 25p to £9.90.
Though the hike represents an approximately 2.5 per cent increase – below inflation rate – it is still likely to put pressure on those with lower fixed incomes.
On the change, Nick Kaye, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “To allow the prescription charge to rise to this level is a shameful neglect of working people on low fixed incomes, who are not exempt.
“Many people already choose not to collect some or all their prescription medicines because of cost, with potentially dire health consequences.
“This is a tax on the working poor that deepens the cost-of-living crisis for them.”
Those concerned about the price rise are recommended to opt for the prepayment certificate (PPC), which charges a fixed amount for a full year of prescriptions. Though it has also risen – by almost £3 to £114.50 from £111.60 – it works out slightly cheaper.
Writing on its social media accounts, the NHS said: “If you have a long-term health condition, you could save money on your prescriptions. A Prescription Prepayment Certificate will save you money if you pay for more than three items in three months, or 11 items in 12 months.”
Who doesn't have to pay?
You are eligible for a free prescription if you:
Are 60 or over;
Are under 16, or 16 to 18 and in full-time education;
Are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx);
Have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx) – your doctor will give you an application form;
Have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx);
Hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability;
Are currently admitted to hospital on a doctor’s order;
Are on certain benefits or have a low income;
However, the Prescription Charges Coalition, an alliance of more than 50 organisations, is urging the government to review this list.
They say the exemption list has not changed for the last 50 years, and overlooks many life-altering conditions such as HIV, cystic fibrosis and Parkinson's.
Laura Cockram, head of campaigns at Parkinson's UK and chairwoman of the coalition, said: “The NHS prescription charge price increase has struck fear into people living with long-term health conditions, such as Parkinson's.
“People are already struggling financially due to the cost of living crisis, and increasing the cost of prescriptions will result in more people missing, reducing or delaying taking their medication, meaning their condition will deteriorate.
“There is limited financial support that charities can offer to offset Government shortcomings.
“That's why we're calling on the UK Government to freeze the charge in 2025 and commit to urgently reviewing the prescription charge exemption list.”
