If a patient queries a price
If a patient says a price is higher than expected, there are several possible reasons, for example a different brand was dispensed, stock availability changed, or a supplier changed.
Send us the order ID (GP0...), the medication name, and details of the query. Either you or the patient can send this to us directly. We review it with our pharmacy team and get back to you with an explanation.
What makes up the total price
The total amount charged for a prescription order has three parts:
The cost of the medications prescribed
The pharmacist's dispensing fee
A delivery fee of either £3.50 or £5.50, depending on the delivery slot chosen
Why private prescription pricing differs from NHS pricing
NHS prescriptions are charged at a standard rate, currently £9.90 per item, regardless of what the medicine actually costs. Private prescriptions work differently. The price reflects the real cost of the medication at the time it's dispensed, plus our pharmacy's standardised dispensing fee.
This means the price isn't fixed, it reflects the market, and markets move.
Why prices fluctuate
Most medications come in two forms: branded (the original manufacturer's version) and generic (a chemically identical version made once the original patent expires). Generic medicines are usually cheaper and make up the majority of prescriptions dispensed in the UK. Since there are no fixed price controls on generic medicines, their cost is set by supply and demand.
A few things can drive this:
Supply shortages. Manufacturing problems, increased demand, or distribution issues can push prices up. Recent years have seen well-documented shortages affecting medications for conditions including diabetes, ADHD, and HRT.
Global supply chains. The UK imports most of its medicines from overseas. Disruption anywhere along that chain, from a factory delay to international shipping problems, increases the cost pharmacies pay to source a medication, which is reflected in the price charged.
Fewer suppliers. When only one or two companies make a particular generic medicine, there's less competition to keep prices down.
Reassuring patients about a price change
A price change doesn't mean anything is wrong with the medication. The medicine itself is the same, it's the market price that's shifted. Our pharmacies aren't overcharging, they're passing on the cost they paid to source it.
💡 Tip: If a patient is concerned about the cost of a regular medication, it's worth discussing alternatives with them directly. You may be able to suggest a different option.
Does price vary by pharmacy location?
No. Pricing doesn't change depending on which pharmacy fulfils the order. All our partner pharmacies, including those in Mayfair, Glasgow, Croydon, Brixton, Merton, Borehamwood, and Hounslow, use the same standardised dispensing fee and pricing formula, so patients aren't overcharged regardless of location.
How to check live prices
Go to "Create Prescription" in your prescriber portal.
Go to the Prescription Items section.
Click "Add a Medication".
Search for the medication by name. Live prices appear as you search.
