Pre-paid prescriptions only apply in England. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales there are no charges for prescriptions.
If you do not qualify for free prescriptions and you are resident in England, it is possible to purchase a “pre-payment certificate (PPC)”. A PPC could save money where more than four prescription items are required in three months, or fourteen or more items are required in twelve months. Leaflet HC12 gives full details including charges and can be obtained from Job Centre Plus offices, NHS hospitals, GP, dentist or optician.
PPCs are available by 10 monthly direct debit instalment payments. The prescription prepayment certificates allow an individual to obtain all the prescriptions they need for £2 per week.
Full details, including current charges (including a translation link to several languages) can be found at: NHS Choices – Help with prescription costs