Naproxen 500mg: Cost, Savings, and How to Pay Less
Naproxen 500mg is the standard NSAID dose for arthritis and musculoskeletal pain, with a Drug Tariff price of approximately 85p per pack.
How much does Naproxen 500mg cost on the NHS?
Naproxen 500mg has a Drug Tariff price of approximately 85p for a 28-tablets pack — a full month's supply. Yet NHS patients in England pay a flat £9.90 per item. With 6m items dispensed in 2024/25, Naproxen 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 Naproxen 500mg actually cost?
The NHS Drug Tariff lists the reimbursement price for Naproxen 500mg at approximately 85p 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
85p
per pack
NHS charge
£9.90
1,065% markup
Our price
£5.50
via private Rx
Naproxen has approximately 6m items dispensed annually in England (NHSBSA PCA 2024/25).
What is Naproxen used for?
Naproxen 500mg is the standard dose for inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and musculoskeletal pain. It provides 8-12 hours of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect per dose.
The Drug Tariff price for Naproxen 500mg is approximately 85p per 28-tablet pack. The NHS charge of £9.90 is over 11 times the drug cost.
Patients who regularly use Naproxen 500mg for chronic conditions can access it through RepeatsDirect for £5.50 per month via private prescription following a clinical review.
How can you save money on Naproxen 500mg?
Patients in England who pay the prescription charge can switch to a private prescription for Naproxen 500mg 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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