Request

I would like to know how many people who are turning 60 who have had a prepaid prescription certificate insitu with a valid direct debit who have then incurred a penalty charge notice in their 60th year due to the NHS not continuing the direct debit prepayment and their prepaid certificate lapses without them realising.

These questions are not exhaustive, therefore I would like a comprehensive answer to promote transparency around any changes or emerging patterns that appear when a person reaches their 60th year in regarding prescriptions. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 27 May 2025.

We requested clarification on 16 June 2025:

Therefore I would be grateful if you would help with the below questions:

Please could you also clarify what you mean by the term ‘timely notification letter?

You responded on 23 June 2025

Question 4

What is the policy for timescales on issuing a PCN We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Our response

Question 1 - How many people in their 60th year received a PCN relating to pre paid prescriptions

PCN’s issued between 17 June 2014 and 2 July 2025 is 144,947.

Question 2 - Is there a rise in PCN's for prescriptions being issued to people in their 60th year

Yes, please see attached spreadsheet with this information.

Question 3 - How many times had the NHS BSA been contacted to raise concerns about this issue?

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. This is because we do not have specific call drivers to capture this information and therefore, it is not recorded.

Question 4 - How many people in their 60th year are first time offenders for stating they are in receipt of a prepayment certificate?

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. This is because we are unable to see if someone who has received a PCN also holds a current or previous PPC.

Question 5 - How many automated checks are conducted on a person after a PCN is issued compared to those without a recent PCN

There are no automated checks after the inquiry letter is issued.

Question 6 - Is there a raise in automated checks when a pre paid certificate lapses or the status has been changed (even if it was not initiated by the person in receipt of the certificate)

No.

Question 7 - Clarification: I will narrow this down to a 12 month time frame for people in their 60th year

a. How many people who are in their 60th year who received their first PCN also went on to receive multiple PCNs:

The number of people who claimed PPC on the prescription, received their first PCN at 59 and received multiple PCNs following between 17 September 2014 – 02 July 2025 is 27,844.

b. How many of these people DID have a PCN letter issued within 2 weeks of the date of the 'offence'.

Zero.

c. How many of these people WERE NOT issued with a notification letter prior to them ticking they were in receipt of a pre payment cert for their next month's regular medication.

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA.

d. What is the policy for timescales on issuing a PCN

Please see below links which explain these timescales. https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/understanding-penalty-charges
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2794/contents/made

Question 8 - What timescales actually constitute the 60th year. Is it 1 year from the birthday for example If a person is 65 on 13th June 2025 is the 60th year from 13th June 2024 or 1st Jan 2025?

The 60th year starts from the 59th birthday.

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2025”. Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.