Bisoprolol 5mg: Cost, Savings, and How to Pay Less
Bisoprolol 5mg is a common maintenance dose beta-blocker for blood pressure and heart failure, with a Drug Tariff price of approximately 60p per pack.
How much does Bisoprolol 5mg cost on the NHS?
Bisoprolol 5mg has a Drug Tariff price of approximately 60p for a 28-tablets pack — a full month's supply. Yet NHS patients in England pay a flat £9.90 per item. With 22m items dispensed in 2024/25, Bisoprolol is one of the most prescribed drugs in England. Through RepeatsDirect, patients can access the same medication privately for £5.50/month.
How much does Bisoprolol 5mg actually cost?
The NHS Drug Tariff lists the reimbursement price for Bisoprolol 5mg at approximately 60p per 28-tablets pack. This is the price the NHS pays pharmacies for the drug itself. The NHS prescription charge of £9.90 covers this drug cost plus dispensing fees, administration, and a contribution to NHS services — but for cheap generic drugs, it represents a significant markup.
Drug Tariff cost
60p
per pack
NHS charge
£9.90
1,550% markup
Our price
£5.50
via private Rx
Bisoprolol has approximately 22m items dispensed annually in England (NHSBSA PCA 2024/25).
What is Bisoprolol used for?
Bisoprolol 5mg is a standard maintenance dose for heart failure and hypertension. It is cardioselective, meaning it primarily affects the heart rather than airways, making it preferable to older beta-blockers in patients with respiratory conditions.
The Drug Tariff price for Bisoprolol 5mg is approximately 60p per 28-tablet pack. The NHS prescription charge of £9.90 is 16.5 times the drug cost.
Patients stable on Bisoprolol 5mg can switch to a private prescription through RepeatsDirect for £5.50 per month, saving £4.40 each month.
How can you save money on Bisoprolol 5mg?
Patients in England who pay the prescription charge can switch to a private prescription for Bisoprolol 5mg and pay significantly less. Through RepeatsDirect, a qualified pharmacist independent prescriber conducts a short clinical review and issues a private prescription. You pay £5.50 per month — saving £4.40 per month, or £52.80 per year.
| Option | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| NHS prescription charge | £9.90 | £118.80 |
| RepeatsDirect (private Rx) | £5.50 | £66.00 |
| Annual PPC (unlimited NHS Rx) | £9.54/mo avg | £114.50 |
A PPC is better value if you pay for 12+ items per year. RepeatsDirect is better value if you pay for fewer items or only want to switch the cheapest drugs.
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