If you ever get issued with a private prescription, Stop! Consider how much it will cost to get the item dispensed
First, is the item actually prescription-only? If it is available over-the-counter, that will almost certainly be the cheapest option.
What is the actual price of the medicine?
The pharmacy will likely have a range of possible suppliers with a range of prices. Then discounts depending on all sorts of factors. That makes it very difficult to get the exact price. But you can often get an idea from the British National Formulary.
NHS pay the pharmacy through an agreed reimbursement mechanism based on the NHS Drug Tariff.
NHS also pays a dispensing fee (something like 245.0 through 286.8 per item depending on prescription).
NHS Drug Tariff prices for amitriptyline range from 75 through 98 pence per 28 (depending on dosage). Actually very similar prices to most levothyroxine tablets.
A pharmacy might charge £9.65 might is simply a base price equal to NHS prescription charge.
For example:
For private prescriptions you've obtained from another GP, we have a minimum dispensing charge of £9.65 per item.
https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/prescriptions/
I've never seen anything that stops pharmacies charging whatever they want for private prescriptions. But maybe there is some sort of price control mechanism?
Find the cheapest private prescriptions
While NHS prescription prices are fixed, pharmacies can set their own for private prescriptions. These are given when you want a drug not covered by the NHS in your region, such as Malarone to prevent malaria if you're travelling and some cancer drugs.
It could be a drug for a lifestyle-enhancing purpose, such as sexual aid Viagra (although this can be on the NHS if your erectile dysfunction's caused by a medical problem, such as diabetes, prostate cancer or a kidney transplant) or anti-baldness drug Propecia.
Non-NHS doctors can't give NHS prescriptions. So go to one for emergency weekend diagnosis, or because you're a member of a scheme, and you'll get a private prescription.
Always compare prices
Unlike the world of NHS prescriptions, with private prescriptions it's an open marketplace and pharmacies can set their own prices, meaning costs vary hugely.
The table below shows how prices can vary for just one item, but it can be an even bigger difference if you ask for the generic version.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/cheap-prescriptions/
Note: NHS prescription charges only apply in England and even then only if you do not qualify for exemption.
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