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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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.
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:
Generic medicines may cost less than branded alternatives, although the final price depends on the medicine and pharmacy.
Private and NHS prescriptions have different charging systems.
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.
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.
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 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.
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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High street pharmacies set their own dispensing prices, so it varies by branch and medication our £25 fee is specifically for the GP writing and issuing the prescription, separate from wherever you get it dispensed.
Not a fixed one pricing depends on the specific medication, so your GP will confirm the likely cost during your consultation before you commit to anything.
No a PPC only reduces NHS prescription costs, not private prescription fees.
Yes, at any registered UK pharmacy, not just the one that issued it.
At Private Medical Clinic, the private prescription fee is £25, excluding the GP consultation and medication. Online GP consultations start from £49, so consultation and prescription fees start from £74 before medication.
No. The £25 prescription fee does not include the medication. The pharmacy charges separately for the prescribed medicine and may also apply dispensing or delivery fees.
Yes. You can book an online GP consultation by video or telephone. The GP will assess your circumstances and issue a private prescription where clinically appropriate.
A private prescription can generally be taken to a registered UK pharmacy. The pharmacy will determine the applicable medication and dispensing charges.
There is no standard price for private prescription medication. The cost depends on the medicine, strength, quantity, whether it is generic or branded, and the pharmacy dispensing it.
They can be, depending on the medication and pharmacy. An NHS prescription in England currently costs £9.90 per item for patients who pay, while private healthcare involves the cost of the consultation, prescription and medication.
No. A PPC applies to eligible NHS prescription charges and does not cover private prescription fees or private medication costs.
Prescription validity depends on the type of prescription and medicine. Most prescriptions are generally valid for six months, while most controlled drug prescriptions are generally valid for 28 days. If you are unsure about a particular prescription, check with your pharmacist or prescriber.
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