The NHSBSA is reminding people who are claiming free NHS prescriptions for a qualifying long-term medical condition to check that they have a valid medical exemption certificate.
People with certain conditions, including ‘epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy’, are entitled to a medical exemption certificate, which they can use to claim free NHS prescriptions.
Around 156,000 people with epilepsy who qualify currently hold an active certificate, the NHSBSA says. Certificates are valid for five years and can be applied for or renewed through a GP or doctor.
The NHSBSA will send a renewal reminder before a person’s medical exemption certificate expires to help them renew in time.
The NHSBSA says it’s each individual’s responsibility to ensure their certificate is valid when claiming free NHS prescriptions. Those who claim without a certificate in place could receive a penalty charge notice of up to £100.
In 2025, around 50,000 penalty charge notices were issued where people had ticked medical exemption certificate but did not have a valid one, according to the organisation. In around 40% of these cases, people had a condition which entitled them to a certificate but didn’t have one in place.
The full list of qualifying medical conditions is available on the NHSBSA website.
People can also use the NHS eligibility checker to see if they’re entitled to other help with NHS health costs.
Epilepsy Action has more information around this and other benefits.
Benefits for people with epilepsy
Find out what financial support there is for people with epilepsy and their carers.