A private prescription is a prescription written by one of our GPs after a consultation, for a new treatment or for a medicine you already take. It includes items that are not routinely available on the NHS, and you can take it to any pharmacy you choose.
When a private prescription is useful
- You have run out of a regular medicine and cannot get an appointment in time
- You are away from home, or new to the area and not yet registered with a practice
- A consultant has recommended a medicine and you need a GP to prescribe it
- The medicine you need is not offered on the NHS for your situation
- You have seen our GP about a new problem and treatment is the next step
How it works
Every prescription starts with a GP appointment. The doctor needs to know what the medicine is for, how you have got on with it, what else you take and whether anything has changed, and may want to check your blood pressure or see recent blood test results first. This is not a formality: it is what makes prescribing safe. If the doctor agrees the medicine is right for you, the prescription is written as part of the appointment.
What it costs
There are two separate costs. One is the consultation with the GP. The other is the medicine itself, which you pay for at the pharmacy: with a private prescription you pay the price of the medicine, not the NHS prescription charge, and that price varies between pharmacies. For a medicine you take long term it is worth asking two or three.
What a GP may not prescribe
A doctor prescribes only what they judge to be safe and appropriate, so a consultation does not always end in a prescription. Some medicines need monitoring that has to be in place first, and the rules are tighter for controlled drugs such as strong painkillers and some sleeping tablets and sedatives. If the doctor cannot prescribe what you asked for, they will explain why and what the alternatives are.
Common questions
Can I get a repeat of my usual medicine? Usually, once the doctor has reviewed it with you. Bring the box or a recent repeat slip.
Will my NHS GP know? Only if you tell them. We encourage you to, so that your record is complete and nothing is prescribed twice.
How long is a private prescription valid? In most cases six months from the date it is written; for some controlled drugs, 28 days.
Can you send it to my pharmacy? Ask at your appointment how your prescription will be issued.
