Private Prescription Cost
Written by Dr. Simon Khela MBChB MRCGP, GMC Registered Doctor
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Quick answer: A private prescription from Private Medical Clinic costs £25, excluding the GP consultation and medication. Online GP consultations start from £49, while a face-to-face consultation costs £95. If a prescription is clinically appropriate following your consultation, the combined fees start from £74 online or £120 face-to-face, before the cost of the medication.
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Private Prescription Costs at a Glance
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Online GP consultation | From £49 |
| Face-to-face GP consultation | £95 |
| Private prescription fee | £25 |
| Online consultation + prescription | From £74 |
| Face-to-face consultation + prescription | £120 |
| Medication | Charged separately |
The £25 prescription fee is separate from the cost of the GP consultation and medication. The pharmacy may also charge its own dispensing or delivery fees.
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You can have the medication dispensed at SignatureRx online, or at any registered UK pharmacy full fee details are on our fees page.
What Is a Private Prescription?
A private prescription is issued outside the NHS following an appropriate consultation with a qualified prescriber. At Private Medical Clinic, a GP assesses your circumstances and decides whether prescribing is clinically appropriate.
If a prescription is issued, you pay for the prescribed medication separately. The medication price can vary depending on the medicine, strength, quantity and pharmacy you use.
What Affects the Cost of a Private Prescription?
The total amount you pay can depend on:
- GP consultation fee
- Private prescription fee
- Medicine prescribed
- Strength and quantity
- Generic or branded medicine
- Pharmacy dispensing charges
- Delivery charges, where applicable
Generic medicines may cost less than branded alternatives, although the final price depends on the medicine and pharmacy.
Private Prescription vs NHS Prescription
Private and NHS prescriptions have different charging systems.
| NHS prescription | Private prescription | |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription charge | £9.90 per item in England | Private provider fee applies |
| GP consultation | NHS-funded where eligible | Private consultation fee |
| Medication | NHS prescription rules apply | Patient pays medication cost |
| Prescription Prepayment Certificate | Available for eligible NHS prescriptions | Not applicable |
The NHS prescription charge in England is currently £9.90 per item for patients who pay. NHS prescriptions are free in Scotland and Wales, with different arrangements applying in Northern Ireland.
A Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) can reduce the cost of eligible NHS prescriptions, but it does not cover private prescriptions.
How does this compare to the NHS?
An NHS prescription costs £9.90 per item in England (free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). A Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) can reduce this if you need several items a month but it only covers NHS prescriptions, not private ones.
Private is occasionally cheaper for low-cost generic medications, since the NHS charge is flat regardless of the drug. For branded or specialist medication, private is usually more expensive.
Why go private instead of NHS?
Mainly for speed and flexibility: same-day appointments without a GP waiting list, a second opinion, access to a medication your NHS GP won’t prescribe for your situation, or travel documentation needed quickly. Private GP appointments have no time limits, so there’s room to actually discuss what you need.
Generic vs. branded medication
Generic medications use the same active ingredient as the branded version but cost less, since there’s no R&D or marketing cost built in. Ask your GP whether a generic option suits your situation it’s usually the simplest way to bring the cost down.
Can I Get a Private Prescription Online?
Yes. You can book an online GP consultation with Private Medical Clinic by video or telephone.
The GP will assess your medical needs and decide whether a prescription is clinically appropriate. If prescribed, your medication can be obtained through an appropriate registered pharmacy service.
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