Government update as NHS users face extra £26 bill over prescriptions

NewsCost Of LivingYour MoneyA health minister spoke about reviewing the current policyNicholas Dawson19:43, 24 Aug 2026Health minister James Frith shared an update about NHS prescriptions(Image: UK Parliament)A health minister has shared an update about reviewing who qualifies for free NHS prescriptions in England. People with certain medical conditions and those on benefits may qualify for free NHS medication. It's worth checking if you qualify, as an increase in costs means some people could be paying over £26 more than they used to.‌Health minister James Frith outlined the Government's policy stance in a parliamentary response to Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome. The Lib Dem MP asked whether officials routinely review the medical exemption certificates and what factors guide those decision