how do private presciptions work

[castle606]

Would some one explain to this complete novice how one goes about about obtaining a private presciption then geetin the medicines with costtings and any other information you may think relavent to me? thanks

[johnep]

If it is a controlled drug you are after, then there are special prescribers and clinics for private pts. When I worked in Newmarket, used to dispense many private scripts.
johnep

[Sir_Dispensalot]

if it's not a controlled drug on a private script, then you'll need to book a private appointment with any doctor. This does not have to be your GP, but it does help as they have full immediate access to your notes. You will have to pay the doctor for their time, and if the doc has prescribed you something then you will have to pay the cost of the drug plus a dispensing fee at the pharmacy. The price you pay is entirely dependent on the drug, the cost of the drug to the pharmacy and the private dispensing fee they charge. It normally takes a few minutes for a pharmacy to work out what a fee will be for your prescription, and it pays to shop around as different chemist chains have different wholesalers and different supply deals. It's often easiest to let your fingers do the walking and ring around a few places to get yourself the best price.

the gp may not need to see you for certain private medicines eg antimalarial tablets - a simple conversation with a practice nurse (eg at your vaccination appointment) / receptionist will often result in a script for those types of drugs (as they'll then ask your gp to sort a script for you without an appointment). The shopping around thing however can still hold true.