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What is a private prescription?
A private prescription is issued by a registered doctor outside the NHS. You pay the full cost of the medicine to the pharmacy rather than the NHS prescription charge. Private prescriptions are useful when you need medicine quickly, are visiting London, have run out while away from your usual GP, or need a medicine your NHS GP does not routinely provide.
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Common reasons patients request a private prescription
After assessment, our doctors commonly prescribe for:
- Infections and acute illnesses covered in our common conditions guide
- Continuation of existing medicines when you are away from home or between GPs
- Medical weight management, including Mounjaro, following eligibility checks
- Hormone treatments such as testosterone replacement therapy after blood tests
- Travel medicines and emergency supplies for overseas visitors
Your care journey
How it works
Book a same-day GP appointment in clinic or by video. Bring details of any current medicines, allergies and relevant medical history. The doctor assesses whether a medicine is safe and appropriate for you, and may recommend blood tests first. If a prescription is suitable it is issued to a pharmacy of your choice or provided to you directly.
Some medicines cannot be prescribed remotely or require monitoring. Controlled drugs and medicines with significant risks are prescribed only when strict clinical criteria are met.
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Visitors and international patients
If you are visiting London and need a medicine you use at home, our international patient service can help. Bring your packaging or a letter from your home doctor so the GP can confirm the medicine and dose.
Prescription assessments in London and Harley Street
You can discuss a medicine at 8 Harley Street, London W1G 9PF or by video where appropriate. If you are staying in London temporarily, bring the original packaging or a recent prescription and explain how much medicine you have left. Do not wait until you run out to ask about assessment.
Compare private prescribing, NHS repeats and a medicines review
An established NHS repeat prescription can be the most straightforward route when your usual clinician already monitors the medicine. Private assessment offers another paid route, but the GP still needs enough information to prescribe safely. It does not bypass monitoring requirements or guarantee a medicine unavailable through your normal service.
A focused consultation may suit one medicine with a clear documented history. An extended review allows more discussion of several treatments, side effects or interactions, but may still require tests or further records. The longer appointment is not a promise that every medicine can be continued.
Your patient journey: assessment to medication review
Prepare your medication history
List current medicines, doses, allergies and any recent changes. Include non-prescription products and relevant reports so the doctor can consider interactions and monitoring needs.
Book and discuss suitability
Confirm clinic or video availability and the consultation fee. Explain what you need and why; the doctor assesses risks rather than simply reproducing a previous prescription.
Confirm the dispensing arrangements
If prescribing is appropriate, check how the prescription reaches you or the pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist about stock, cost and collection before making a journey.
Understand use and follow-up
Ask how to take the medicine, what problems to watch for and when review is needed. Do not change doses or arrange repeat supplies without the recommended clinical checks.
Clear pricing
Private prescription prices in London
A private prescription is issued within a GP consultation. The consultation costs £50 for 20 minutes or £75 for 30 minutes, and the cost of medicine is paid separately to the pharmacy.
Standard GP consultation
20 minutes, includes prescription where appropriate
£50
Extended GP consultation
30 minutes, for multiple medicines or complex history
£75
Medication
Set by the dispensing pharmacy and varies by medicine
Pharmacy price
Paying for a consultation does not guarantee a prescription; the doctor prescribes only when it is clinically safe and appropriate.