How Much Does a Private Prescription Cost in the UK? (2026)

Last updated 29 September 2026

A private prescription has two costs: the fee the doctor or clinic charges to write it, and the price the pharmacy charges for the medicine. Unlike an NHS prescription, there's no fixed charge for either, so both vary.

Quick answer: private GP clinics typically charge £40 to issue a prescription, and the 11 clinics we list charge £25 to £75. You then pay the pharmacy for the medicine itself. A prescription from a dentist is cheaper, typically £15, and a controlled drug prescription typically costs £50.

Private GP prescription fees

What private GP clinics charge to issue a prescription, usually outside a consultation. If you're seeing the doctor anyway, many clinics include the prescription in the consultation fee.

Clinic	Area	Prescription fee
Private Medical Clinic London	London W1H	£25
10 Harley Street	London W1G	£25
Laburnum Health Centre	London RM10	£30
90 Sloane Street	London SW1X	£35
King-Lewis Family Practice	London SW1W	£35
Sloane Square Medical	London SW1W	from £40
Eve Clinics London (Harley Street)	London W1G	£50
The Harper Clinic	London W1G	£50
Pixie and Sera	London W1G	£55
Khalique Medical Practice	London W1G	from £60
Fluence Clinic	London EC4A	£75

How much does the medicine cost on a private prescription?

The pharmacy sets its own price for the medicine, and it depends on the drug and the quantity. For a common, cheap medicine the pharmacy charge can be small. For a branded or specialist medicine it can be much more than the NHS prescription charge. Ask a couple of pharmacies for a price before you hand over the prescription, since prices differ.

Dental prescriptions

Dentists also write private prescriptions, most often for antibiotics. The 18 dental practices we list that publish a fee typically charge £15, and from £9.90 to £50.

Controlled drug prescriptions

Controlled drugs, such as some strong painkillers, sleeping tablets and ADHD medicines, need a special prescription form and usually cost more to issue.

Clinic	Area	Controlled drug prescription
Guy Barrington Staight - Pelham Street	London SW7	£35
Courtfield Private GP Practice	London SW5	£45
The Harley Street General Practice	London W1G	£50
Moore Medical Practice	London SW3	£70
The London General Practice	London W1G	£90

Private sick notes and medical letters

Private GPs also charge for paperwork you can't always get quickly from an NHS surgery.

Clinic	Area	Sick note
The GP Surgery Wimbledon	London SW19	£10
Same Day Doctor	London W1G	£20
Avicenna Health	London IG8	£20
10 Harley Street	London W1G	£25
Pembridge Villas Surgery	London W11	£30

A referral letter to a private specialist typically costs £55, with the 14 clinics we list charging £30 to £100. A "to whom it may concern" letter or short medical letter typically costs £45.

Private vs NHS prescriptions

On the NHS in England you pay a fixed charge per item, and many people get prescriptions free, including children, people over 60 and people with certain medical conditions. The current charge is on the NHS website. A private prescription is worth it mostly when you've seen a private doctor, or need a medicine the NHS won't prescribe for your situation. If your NHS GP would prescribe the same medicine, asking them is usually cheaper.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a private prescription cost?

Private GP clinics typically charge £40 to write the prescription, and the 11 clinics we list charge £25 to £75. The medicine is charged separately by the pharmacy.

Can I use a private prescription at any pharmacy?

Usually, yes. Most high street pharmacies dispense private prescriptions, but they set their own price for the medicine, so it's worth comparing.

How much is a private sick note?

The 5 clinics we list charge £10 to £30 for a private sickness certificate, and the typical price is £20.

How much is a private GP referral letter?

A referral letter to a specialist typically costs £55, and the clinics we list charge £30 to £100.