Private vs NHS Prescription Costs Explained
It’s always good to know what you’re going to pay for when it comes to your medication.
That’s why we’ve put together this explainer on NHS prescription costs, how you can save money on your prescription, and how private prescriptions differ.
Three key takeaways
- In England, NHS prescriptions cost £9.90 per prescribed item.
- Private prescription costs can vary greatly depending on the treatment and may involve being charged a consultation fee.
- You may be eligible for free NHS prescriptions in England if you meet certain age, income or medical criteria.
How much is an NHS prescription?
The cost for an NHS prescription item in England is £9.90. You pay this per prescription item, rather than per prescription. So, for example, if one prescription contains three medications, you’ll pay £29.70.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, all prescriptions are free.
Has the price of an NHS prescription gone up?
The price of an NHS prescription item in England last went up in 2024, from £9.65 to £9.90. However, this price is frozen for 2025/26.
How much is a private prescription?
There’s no set price for private prescriptions. The total cost will depend on:
- the medication or treatment you’ve been prescribed
- if there's a consultation fee associated with getting the prescription
- if you’re charged a dispensing fee
How to save money on your NHS prescription
There are a few different ways you may be able to save money on your NHS prescriptions:
Free NHS prescriptions
You should be entitled to free NHS prescriptions in England if you:
- are under 16, or 60 and over
- are on certain benefits, including Universal Credit (additional requirements apply)
- are pregnant, or have given birth in the last 12 months
- are eligible for a medical exemption form
- have a War Pension, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme exemption certificate, or other prescription exemption certificate issued by the Ministry of Defence
You can also get free NHS contraception, including through Chemist4U.
NHS Low Income Scheme
If you’re on a low income, but don’t receive certain benefits, you may still be entitled to free prescriptions through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC)
You can save money on multiple prescriptions with an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate. A 3-month PPC costs £32.05, while a 12-month PPC costs £114.50. These certificates allow you to claim an unlimited number of prescriptions during your chosen period for a one-off payment.
You can also get an annual hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC for £19.80. This allows you to claim an unlimited number of qualifying HRT treatments over a 12-month period.
Generic vs branded drugs
Another way you can potentially save money on medication is by choosing the generic version of a drug, rather than the brand-name version.
Although the price of NHS prescriptions is always the same, regardless of whether it’s a generic or brand-name drug, the same isn’t true for private prescriptions.
Once the patent on a brand-name medicine expires, generic alternatives often pop up. And these generic drugs, despite containing the same ingredients, are usually cheaper.
You’ll likely be familiar with some version of this already. For example, ibuprofen is the generic version of standard Nurofen.
However, you might be less aware of alternatives when a brand name dominates a certain treatment. For instance, if you’re looking for erectile dysfunction pills, you could consider sildenafil, which is the cheaper, generic version of Viagra.
Download the Chemist4U app and manage your prescriptions
Download the Chemist4U app, and link your account with your local NHS GP, so you can:
- order your repeat prescriptions
- get timely reminders when your prescription is going to run out
- view your NHS test results
- book GP appointments
- buy your favourite health and wellness products
FAQs
What is the difference between a private prescription and an NHS prescription?
An NHS prescription is written by an NHS medical professional, such as your local GP. Each item will cost £9.90. A private prescription is written by a private medical professional and can vary in price.
How much is a 12-month prepayment prescription?
A 12-month NHS prepayment certificate costs £114.50. You can pay for it upfront, or in 10 direct debit instalments of £11.45 a month.
Are NHS prescriptions free for the over-60s?
Yes, if you are 60 and over, all your NHS prescriptions are free. The same is true if you are under 16, or 16-18 and in full-time education.
