system. 21,497 penalty notices were withdrawn in 2018/2019 because the patient had actually paid. Discounts For those who do not qualify for free prescriptions, Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC) are available, covering all prescription charges for a period of three or twelve months, at a cost approximately equivalent to one prescription per month. Some over-the-counter medicines cost less than the prescription charge. Refunds Refunds are available for charges made to people who qualify for free prescriptions: "Where any person who is entitled to a repayment of any charge paid under the Charges Regulations presents an NHS pharmacist with a valid claim for the repayment within three months of the date on which the charge was paid, the NHS pharmacist must make the repayment." (Regulation 96 of the NHS (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013). This may apply, for example, to people actually exempt who pay for a prescription to avoid a possible fine. Refunds can be obtained through any NHS England pharmacy on presentation of a valid FP57 form along with proof of exemption. Blacklist If the prescriber has the appropriate prescribing rights, any food, drug, toiletry or cosmetic may be prescribed on an NHS prescription unless it is listed in the blacklist – Schedule 1 to the NHS (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs etc.) Regulations 2004, reproduced in Part XVIIIA of the Drug Tariff. Ireland The Drugs Payment Scheme ensures that a family ordinarily resident in Ireland has to pay no more than €100 per calendar month for a month's supply of prescribed medicines and medical appliances. Family means a person or a couple and their children aged under 18 (or under 23 if in full-time education) and any family member who has a physical or intellectual disability or an illness and is unable to fully maintain himself/herself. Those who are entitled to a medical card pay a government levy for each item dispensed. The levy is €2.00 up to a maximum of €20 per family per calendar month. The levy was reduced to €1.50 from April 2019 for medical card holders over the age of 70. The Over 70s prescription charge was reduced to €1, and the Drugs Payment Scheme cap reduced to €114, in 2020. The Long Term Illness Scheme provides free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of specified conditions: Intellectual disability Mental illness (for people under 16 only) Diabetes