At IBDrelief, we know how tough it can be managing the day-to-day realities of living with IBD, and that includes covering the cost of prescriptions. Which is why we’ve teamed up with Tillotts and OVID Health to support their A Chronic Cost campaign.
We’d really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to share your experience by completing their short survey. Your participation will help build a clearer picture of how prescription charges affect people with IBD in England.
A Chronic Cost is highlighting the impact of prescription charges on people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in England.
England is the only UK nation that still charges for prescriptions, and the charge is now £9.90 per item.[3] Whilst purchasing a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) can reduce this cost, paying for prescriptions places a considerable financial burden on many people living with IBD as they may be required to pay for multiple prescription items as often as fortnightly or monthly to access the medicines they need to manage their condition.
People living with some medical conditions can get their prescriptions free of charge, but these exemptions are limited, do not include IBD and are based on a list of conditions that has remained largely unchanged since 1968.[4,5]
A Chronic Cost is ultimately calling for prescription charges for people living with IBD in England to be scrapped. In the meantime, the campaign is also urging Government to:
We are seeking up-to-date data to better understand the impact of prescription charges on people living with IBD in England.
[1]. Prescription Charges Coalition. 2023. Survey reveals prescription charges are a barrier to keeping people well and in work. Available at: http://www.prescriptionchargescoalition.co.uk/latest-news/survey-reveals-prescription-charges-are-a-barrier-to-keeping-people-well-and-in-work [Accessed September 2025].
[2]. Prescription Charges Coalition/York Health Economics Consortium. 2018. PRESCRIPTION CHARGES COALITION: Economic evaluation of the benefits of extending free prescriptions to people with long-term conditions. Available at: https://www.prescriptionchargescoalition.org.uk/uploads/1/2/7/5/12754304/economic-evaluation-report.pdf [Accessed September 2025].
[3]. NHS. 2025. NHS prescription charges. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/nhs-prescription-charges/ [Accessed September 2025].
[4]. NHS Business Services Authority. Medical exemption certificates. Available at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-you-have-nhs-exemption/medical-exemption-certificates [Accessed September 2025].
[5]. GOV.UK. 2023. Aligning the upper age for NHS prescription charge exemptions with the State Pension age. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/aligning-the-upper-age-for-nhs-prescription-charge-exemptions-with-the-state-pension-age/aligning-the-upper-age-for-nhs-prescription-charge-exemptions-with-the-state-pension-age [Accessed September 2025].