We're disappointed that the Government Spending Review announced free prescription charges for those in England with long term health needs will not go ahead at this stage.

A campaign by the Prescription Charges Coalition in support of a move towards free prescriptions for those with long-term health needs is also working to ensure that more people are aware of the pre-payment certificate.

How you can help

The Prescription Charges Coalition wants to find out more about how people with long-term conditions are using the Pre-payment Certificate. If you live in England and have to pay for the medicines for a long-term condition, we’d be really grateful if you could fill in our quick survey.

Prescription charges are affecting me right now. What can I do?

If you're struggling to pay your prescription charges today then you may be able to get help through a prescription Pre-payment Certificate (PPC). This helps people, who need large quantities of medicine on a regular basis but still have to pay prescription charges, by helping to spread the cost of the charges.

You can apply for a PPC by:

- calling 0845 850 0030 (interpretation services available)
- using the NHS' online application form
- posting form FP95 available from your local pharmacy
- going to a pharmacy registered to sell PPCs

Through the PPC you can pay £28.25 for all your prescriptions for three months, or £104 for all your prescriptions for a year. An NHS prescription costs £7.20, so if you pay for four of more prescriptions in three months, or 15 prescriptions or more over a year, then the PPC would save you money.

Why you shouldn't pay for prescriptions if you live in England

- We believe that you shouldn't have to pay if you have a long term medical condition. Your drugs should be free because:

- An independent review recommended that patients with long term conditions such as heart disease receive free prescriptions following approval from their Doctor.

-Over a year ago the then government promised to make prescriptions free for all those with long-term conditions in the coming years.Heart patients in Wales and Northern Ireland no longer pay for them and they will be free in Scotland by 2011.

- It will mean that you don't have to worry about money for prescriptions when your focus should be on your health.