Government update as NHS users face extra £26 bill

A parliamentary update in England highlights tighter attention on who qualifies for free NHS prescriptions, warning costs could rise by more than £26 for some people. Health minister James Frith told Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome that patients must hold a valid medical exemption certificate before claiming prescriptions free of charge. He said the Government keeps its policies under regular review and is also trying to make prescriptions more affordable by freezing charges for the 2026/27 financial year. In England, the per-item prescription charge is currently £9.90, after rising from £8.20 five years ago.