Fluoxetine 20mg: Cost, Savings, and How to Pay Less
Fluoxetine 20mg is the standard SSRI dose for depression and OCD, with a Drug Tariff price of approximately 55p per 30-capsule pack.
How much does Fluoxetine 20mg cost on the NHS?
Fluoxetine 20mg has a Drug Tariff price of approximately 55p for a 30-capsules pack — a full month's supply. Yet NHS patients in England pay a flat £9.90 per item. With 9m items dispensed in 2024/25, Fluoxetine 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 Fluoxetine 20mg actually cost?
The NHS Drug Tariff lists the reimbursement price for Fluoxetine 20mg at approximately 55p per 30-capsules 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
55p
per pack
NHS charge
£9.90
1,700% markup
Our price
£5.50
via private Rx
Fluoxetine has approximately 9m items dispensed annually in England (NHSBSA PCA 2024/25).
What is Fluoxetine used for?
Fluoxetine (brand name Prozac) was the first widely-prescribed SSRI and remains an effective and widely-used antidepressant. At 20mg, it is used for depression, OCD, and bulimia nervosa. Its long half-life makes it useful for patients who have difficulty with adherence, as missed doses cause fewer withdrawal effects.
The Drug Tariff price for Fluoxetine 20mg (30 capsules) is approximately 55p. The NHS prescription charge of £9.90 is 18 times the drug cost.
RepeatsDirect can supply Fluoxetine 20mg for £5.50 per month via private prescription, saving patients £4.40 per month versus the NHS charge.
How can you save money on Fluoxetine 20mg?
Patients in England who pay the prescription charge can switch to a private prescription for Fluoxetine 20mg 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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