Costs of private online prescriptions
When you use a private online GP service, you pay a consultation fee to the healthcare provider and a separate fee to the pharmacy for the unsubsidised cost of the private medication.
Two separate fees
It is important to understand that using a private online GP involves two distinct costs. First, you pay a consultation fee directly to the platform for the doctor's time and clinical expertise. Second, if you require medicine, you pay a medication cost directly to the pharmacy when you collect your treatment.
Private prescription costs
Private prescriptions are not covered by the standard NHS prescription charge. When you take a private prescription to a pharmacy, you pay the full, unsubsidised price of the drug itself. This cost can vary significantly depending on the medication. A common antibiotic might cost around £10, whereas a specialised skin cream could cost considerably more. The pharmacist can confirm the exact price before they dispense the medicine.
NHS vs private prescriptions
Most private online GP services, including Doctor Care Anywhere, issue private prescriptions only. If you need an NHS prescription, some local NHS GP surgeries offer their own digital services. Registered patients can use these platforms to request standard repeat prescriptions, which are then covered by standard NHS exemptions or charges, according to the NHS. To provide these services, local GP surgeries must meet specific implementation standards set by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). You can read more about how these options compare in our guide to the Virtual GPs.
Medications prescribed online
Online GPs can safely prescribe treatments for many acute, non-complex conditions, but they cannot prescribe controlled drugs or medications that require an in-person physical examination.
Suitable medications
Virtual consultations are highly effective for managing straightforward, non-emergency health issues. We frequently prescribe antibiotics for simple bacterial infections, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI). We can also prescribe topical skin creams for conditions like eczema or acne, authorise asthma inhalers, and issue routine contraceptive pills.
In-person assessment required
For certain conditions, a physical examination is crucial to ensure your safety. An online clinician cannot listen to your heart with a stethoscope or physically palpate your abdomen. Because of this, we cannot prescribe medications that require physical tests or vital sign checks. Examples include new medications for high blood pressure, strong painkillers, or certain mental health treatments being initiated for the first time. If we feel you need an in-person assessment, we will always advise you on the best steps to take.
Controlled drugs and high-risk medicines
For strict patient safety and regulatory reasons, online GPs do not prescribe controlled drugs. This category includes medicines like morphine, methadone, pregabalin, and strong opiates. These medications have a high potential for misuse, dependence, or severe side effects. They require careful, regular in-person monitoring by a regular clinician who has full access to your continuous medical history.
Common misconceptions about online GPs
Common misconceptions about online GPs include the belief that their prescriptions are invalid at local pharmacies, that using an online service replaces your regular NHS GP, and that these digital platforms are unregulated.
Pharmacy acceptance
A frequent worry is that a local pharmacist will reject a digital prescription. This is incorrect. Prescriptions generated by registered doctors on regulated platforms are 100 per cent legal and valid at UK pharmacies. The electronic code system is highly secure, allowing pharmacists to confidently dispense your treatment.
NHS GP registration
Some people worry that using a private telemedicine service means deregistering from their local surgery. Online GP services are designed to supplement your NHS care, not replace it. You remain fully registered with your local NHS GP. We often advise patients to share the notes from their private consultation with their regular doctor to keep their medical records accurate.
Regulation and safety
All legitimate UK online doctor services operate under strict regulations. They must be registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which is the exact same independent body that regulates NHS hospitals and physical GP practices. Furthermore, every doctor working on these platforms must be fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).
Frequently asked questions
You should use an online GP instead of your regular surgery when you value convenience and speed for non-emergency, straightforward health issues. If you have a minor infection, a skin complaint, or need a routine referral, a virtual appointment saves time. However, for complex conditions or situations requiring physical examination, an in-person appointment is more appropriate.
An online GP knows what to prescribe without a physical exam by relying on a detailed discussion of your medical history and a careful symptom assessment. High-quality video allows clinicians to visually assess physical signs, like rashes. We combine this information with clinical judgement and established medical guidelines to safely diagnose and prescribe.
You can get a repeat prescription for your long-term condition online if your condition is stable, such as an underactive thyroid, though this is at the doctor's discretion. To ensure your safety, the clinician will often request to view your NHS Summary Care Record to check previous dosages and confirm the medication is still appropriate.
A sick note from an online doctor is legally valid for your employer. Fit notes derive their legal standing from the issuing doctor's General Medical Council (GMC) registration, rather than whether the consultation took place online or in a physical room. Your employer must accept a digital fit note exactly like a paper copy.
The difference between an online GP and an online pharmacy is that an online GP provides a medical consultation to assess symptoms, make diagnoses, and authorise prescriptions. Conversely, an online pharmacy is a dispensing service. They cannot diagnose you; they simply fulfil and deliver an existing prescription generated by a qualified clinician.