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  "path": "/money/martin-lewis-trick-to-slash-medication-costs",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-30T20:03:52.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Martin Lewis issues council tax alert to 400k families who may be overpaying and are due thousands",
    "Martin Lewis's 'MSE' issues warning to thousands of banking app users to 'withdraw cash immediately'",
    "Martin Lewis explains four tax-free allowances to protect £38,570 from HMRC",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nMartin Lewis has revealed a simple way shoppers could avoid paying significantly more than necessary for everyday medication.\n\nSpeaking on his BBC podcast, Mr Lewis urged consumers to check the product licence, or PL code, on packaging when comparing medicines.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe advice emerged after he asked listeners to share tips from their professions that could help others save money.\n\nOne listener working in pharmaceutical research highlighted that generic medicines are often identical to more expensive branded versions.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBy comparing PL codes printed on packaging, shoppers can identify when a lower-cost own-brand product contains exactly the same medicine as a pricier branded alternative.\n\nThe example of Panadol was cited, with branded paracetamol tablets often costing more than supermarket equivalents despite containing the same active ingredient.\n\nMr Lewis said: \"Quite right, it's the active ingredient that does the job. So if it has the same active ingredient, it's doing the same job.\"\n\nThe active ingredient refers to the component in a medicine responsible for producing its therapeutic effect, such as paracetamol or aspirin.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHowever, Mr Lewis noted that medicines with the same active ingredient may still differ in how they work.\n\nHe said variations such as slow-release or fast-acting formulas can affect how the medication is absorbed by the body.\n\nChecking the PL code allows consumers to confirm whether two products are not only similar, but identical.\n\nMr Lewis said: \"You can find in some pharmacies, different pharmaceuticals, like hay fever tablets, one might be an own brand at half the price of the branded one, but they have the same PL code.\"\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Martin Lewis issues council tax alert to 400k families who may be overpaying and are due thousands\n  * Martin Lewis's 'MSE' issues warning to thousands of banking app users to 'withdraw cash immediately'\n  * Martin Lewis explains four tax-free allowances to protect £38,570 from HMRC\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe added: \"Then it's not just the same active ingredient, it's absolutely the same stuff. It's the same tablet inside.\"\n\nThe tip means shoppers comparing products in pharmacies or supermarkets may be able to make direct like-for-like comparisons and opt for the cheaper option.\n\nA worker from a GP practice pointed out that patients collecting repeat hormone replacement therapy prescriptions could benefit from a prepayment certificate.\n\nMr Lewis said: \"Quite right, couldn't support that any more. There are many women missing out on that one and it is a big way to save.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA prescription prepayment certificate allows patients in England to pay a fixed upfront cost to cover all NHS prescriptions over a set period.\n\nA three-month certificate costs £32.05, while a 12-month certificate is priced at £114.50.\n\nWith the standard prescription charge currently £9.90 per item in England, the certificate can offer savings for those requiring multiple prescriptions.\n\nPatients needing more than three items over three months, or more than 11 items over 12 months, would typically pay less overall by using the scheme.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Martin Lewis reveals clever trick to slash medication costs: 'It’s absolutely the same stuff!'"
}