In England, NHS prescriptions have a £9.15 charge attached. This charge applies to every item on the prescription, rather than the prescription as a whole. Certain items may be exempt from prescription charges, and certain groups, i.e. children, receive free prescriptions. If you purchase prescriptions regularly (2 or more medications per month), you can save money by paying for your prescriptions in advance with a prescription payment certificate (PPC). NHS prescriptions are free in other parts of the UK, although people may choose to use online private services for convenience, cost of travel and increased medication options.
What are the Advantages of a Private Prescription?
There are several reasons why someone may choose to get a private prescription, instead of an NHS prescription. These reasons may include: convenience, cost of travel to the pharmacy, saving money of medication and having more choice over the treatments available. As NHS prescriptions cost £9.15, some products – antihistamines, painkillers, generic medications and others – may be less expensive via private prescription or over the counter medications. Generic medications contain the same active ingredients as their branded counterparts, but they are often much cheaper. Therefore generic medications, are often less expensive on private prescription than through the NHS.
How Much is a Private Prescription?
Private prescription costs are based upon the type of medication and the service you are using. There are two main types of private prescription:
A face-to-face appointment or online consultation will be conducted for a fee. You will then be issued a private prescription which you should take to a pharmacy to have dispensed. As you have a private prescription, you will not pay the £9.15 NHS charge when you pay for your medication. Instead, you will pay a private fee which is determined by the pharmacy.
Other services, such as Simple Online Pharmacy, provide a prescription and dispense your medication. You are required to select your medication and complete a short online consultation. Your responses will be reviewed by a registered online doctor, who will ensure that the medication you have selected is appropriate. Your medication will then be delivered to your door in discreet plain packaging.
