The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7216 p388
21 September 2002

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Prescription Pricing Authority (more)

PPA scraps paper prescription charge exemption certificates

Paper prescription charge prepayment and exemption certificates are to be discontinued in England and replaced by credit card-style plastic certificates.

From 1 October, all new prepayment, medical and maternity exemption certificates issued by the Prescription Pricing Authority will be plastic cards which state the patient’s name, along with the certificate type, certificate number and commencement and expiry dates. Paper certificates issued before 1 October will continue to be valid until their normal expiry.

In addition, the PPA has redesigned the prepayment certificate application form and says that existing forms should be withdrawn from 30 September. It is also to accept payment for prepayment certificates by credit and debit card and will sell certificates over the telephone (tel 0845 850 0030). Pharmacies in certain areas that already sell prepayment certificates on behalf of the PPA are to be allowed to continue to do so for a temporary period. No new pharmacies are to be allowed to sell certificates before April 2003.