Private Prescriptions in London: Same-Day Access From a GMC-Registered Doctor
If you need a prescription today and cannot wait for an NHS GP appointment, The Online GP by The Wellness provides same-day private prescriptions from GMC-registered doctors. Phone consultations start from £49, in-person from £79, and the prescription itself is included at no extra charge. Your doctor conducts a proper clinical assessment, determines whether medication is appropriate, and issues a private prescription that can be dispensed at any UK pharmacy in the UK. No NHS registration is required, and no referral is needed.
Get a Same-Day Prescription - WhatsApp | Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com | Call: 020 3951 3429
When a Private Prescription Makes Sense
There are several common situations where accessing a private prescription is faster, more convenient, and clinically appropriate.
You have an acute infection and your NHS GP cannot see you for days. Urinary tract infections, chest infections, ear infections, skin infections, and sinus infections all cause real discomfort and can worsen if left untreated. Waiting three days for an NHS telephone triage, then another two days for a callback, then being told to come in next week is not acceptable when you are in pain or getting worse. A private GP can assess you and prescribe antibiotics the same day if they are clinically indicated.
You have run out of a regular medication. Repeat prescription requests through the NHS can take 48 to 72 hours, and sometimes longer if the GP wants to review your medication before reissuing. If you have run out of blood pressure tablets, thyroid medication, contraception, or any other regular medication, a private GP can review your history and issue a private repeat prescription the same day so you do not miss doses.
You need travel medication before a trip. Antimalarials, altitude sickness prevention, and traveller's diarrhoea treatment all require prescriptions. If your departure is imminent and your NHS GP cannot see you in time, a private consultation ensures you travel protected.
You are an international visitor. If you take regular medication at home and need a prescription during your time in London, a private GP is the fastest route. Bring your current medication or a recent prescription from your home country, and our doctor will identify the UK equivalent and prescribe it.
You want a second opinion on your medication. If you have concerns about a medication you have been prescribed, or you want to discuss alternatives, a longer private consultation gives you the time and attention to explore options that a 10-minute NHS appointment does not allow.
How the Process Works
Step 1: Contact us. WhatsApp, email, or call. Tell us what you need and we will book the most appropriate appointment type. For straightforward prescription renewals, a phone consultation (from £49) is usually sufficient. For new symptoms requiring examination, an in-person appointment (from £79) is recommended.
Step 2: Consultation. Your GMC-registered doctor conducts a proper clinical assessment. For new prescriptions, this means discussing your symptoms, medical history, current medications, and any allergies to determine the most appropriate treatment. For repeat prescriptions, the doctor reviews your existing medication to confirm it remains suitable. This assessment is a legal and ethical requirement for any doctor issuing a prescription, and it protects you by ensuring the medication is safe and appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Step 3: Prescription issued. If medication is indicated, your doctor writes a private prescription during the consultation at no additional charge. The prescription is provided to you on paper (in-person) or sent electronically to your chosen pharmacy (phone or video consultations).
Step 4: Collect your medication. Take your private prescription to any UK pharmacy (Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds, or any independent). The pharmacist will dispense the medication and charge you the private price for the drug. Common antibiotics typically cost £5 to £15. More specialist medications vary. Your doctor can advise on approximate costs during the consultation.
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What We Can and Cannot Prescribe
Our GMC-registered doctors can prescribe any medication that is legal and clinically appropriate. This includes antibiotics for bacterial infections, pain relief (including stronger analgesics where clinically justified), blood pressure, cholesterol, and cardiovascular medications, thyroid medication, diabetes medication, contraception (combined pill, progesterone-only pill, emergency contraception), hormone replacement therapy (HRT), antidepressants and anxiety medication, asthma inhalers and respiratory medications, skin treatments (topical steroids, acne treatments, antifungals), allergy medication (antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops), gastrointestinal medications (acid reflux, IBS treatments), travel medications (antimalarials, altitude sickness prevention), and controlled drugs where clinically justified with appropriate documentation and monitoring.
What we will not do is prescribe medication without a proper clinical assessment. This is a legal requirement under GMC guidance and exists to protect you. A prescription-only medication is prescription-only for a reason, and a responsible doctor will always assess your individual circumstances before prescribing. If a consultation reveals that medication is not the right approach, your doctor will explain why and suggest alternatives.
We also will not prescribe medications for purposes that are not clinically indicated, or at doses that are not supported by evidence. Our obligation is to your health, not to fulfilling a request that could cause harm. This is what distinguishes a responsible private GP service from online prescription mills that issue medications after a cursory online questionnaire.
Private Prescriptions vs NHS Prescriptions: Key Differences
The medication is identical. A private prescription for amoxicillin contains the same drug, same dose, and same manufacturer as an NHS prescription for amoxicillin. The differences are purely administrative and financial.
NHS prescriptions cost a flat £9.90 per item in England (2025/26), with exemptions for children, over-60s, pregnant women, and those with certain medical conditions. Many people pay nothing. However, getting the prescription requires an appointment with your NHS GP, which can take days or weeks.
Private prescriptions require you to pay the pharmacy the full retail cost of the medication, which varies. Simple generics like amoxicillin or ibuprofen may cost £5 to £15. Branded or specialist medications can cost significantly more. You also pay the consultation fee (from £49 at our clinic). However, you can get the prescription the same day, with no waiting, no triage, and no gatekeeping.
For many patients, the speed and certainty of a same-day private prescription justifies the additional cost. When you are in pain with a UTI, or your child has an ear infection at 6pm on a Friday, waiting until next Wednesday for an NHS appointment is not an acceptable option.
Medication Reviews and Ongoing Prescriptions
Beyond one-off prescriptions, The Online GP by The Wellness provides comprehensive medication management for patients who want ongoing private care.
If you take multiple medications, a thorough medication review can identify interactions, redundancies, or optimisation opportunities that may have been missed in time-pressured NHS consultations. Our doctors take the time to review your complete medication list, discuss how each drug is working for you, consider whether doses need adjusting, and ensure nothing is causing unnecessary side effects.
For patients who prefer to manage their repeat prescriptions privately rather than through the NHS, we offer an ongoing relationship where you can see the same doctor consistently, build a medical history with us, and receive your prescriptions without the friction of the NHS repeat prescription system.
Discuss Your Medication Needs - WhatsApp | Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com | Call: 020 3951 3429
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a private prescription without seeing my NHS GP? Yes. Any GMC-registered doctor can issue a private prescription after proper assessment. Consultations from £49. Same-day access.
How much does it cost? Consultation from £49 (phone) or £79 (in-person). Prescription included at no extra charge. You pay the pharmacy separately for the medication.
What can a private GP prescribe? Any clinically appropriate medication including antibiotics, regular medications, contraception, mental health medication, travel drugs, and controlled substances where justified.
Can I get a repeat prescription? Yes. Bring your current medication or a recent prescription and our doctor can issue a private repeat after a brief review.
Is the medication the same as NHS medication? Yes. Identical drug, dose, and manufacturer. The only difference is the prescription paperwork and the cost at the pharmacy.
Can international visitors get prescriptions? Yes. No NHS registration needed. Bring your existing medication or prescription from home.
Can I get antibiotics today? Yes, if clinically indicated after assessment. Same-day appointments available. WhatsApp us on +44 7961 280835.
The Online GP by The Wellness provides private doctor-led healthcare from our Marylebone clinic. All prescriptions are issued by GMC-registered doctors following proper clinical assessment, in accordance with GMC good practice guidance. Contact us on WhatsApp at +44 7961 280835, email team@thewellnesslondon.com, or call 020 3951 3429.
References
GMC. Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices. Updated 2024.
NHS Business Services Authority. NHS prescription charges 2025/26. 2025.
CQC. Independent doctor and clinic services. 2025.
BMA. Prescribing in general practice. Updated 2025.
