Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines.  Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

  • Prescription (per item): £9.15
  • 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £105.90
  • 3-month PPC: £29.65

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website

Private Prescriptions

There is a charge for patients to get private prescriptions. The reason for this is that private prescriptions do not fall into the practices General Medical Services contract.

The charge per PRESCRIPTION will be £15.00.

You should pay this fee at reception.

Pharmacy

The price of each individual medicine is displayed during the order process. You will be charged per tablet/unit of medicine. In England all NHS prescriptions cost £9.15 from a pharmacy, and all private prescriptions have a minimum order value of £5.00 per item on top of the script fee of £15.00, irrespective of the quantity of the particular item.

Q&A:

What is the difference between an NHS prescription and a private prescription?

  • Cost – an NHS prescription is much cheaper 
    An NHS prescription costs £9.15 which includes the cost of the doctor issuing the prescription and the cost of the medication subsidised by the NHS.
    A private prescription, you pay the full cost of the medication. In addition, you must now also pay a fee of £15.00 to the practice for the script, on top of the prescription fee.
  • Availability – not all treatments are available on an NHS prescription

Do all practices charge a script fee to issue private prescription?

Not all GP practices charge a fee for issuing a private prescription. It will depend on whether private prescriptions fall into the practices General Medical Services contract.
However the standard fee for a GP practice to issue a prescription privately ranges from approximately £15.00 – £20.00
With a private clinic, the fees start from £50 upwards.