Simvastatin 20mg: Cost, Savings, and How to Pay Less
Simvastatin 20mg is an older statin for cholesterol management, available on the Drug Tariff for approximately 60p per pack.
How much does Simvastatin 20mg cost on the NHS?
Simvastatin 20mg 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 12m items dispensed in 2024/25, Simvastatin 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 Simvastatin 20mg actually cost?
The NHS Drug Tariff lists the reimbursement price for Simvastatin 20mg 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
Simvastatin has approximately 12m items dispensed annually in England (NHSBSA PCA 2024/25).
What is Simvastatin used for?
Simvastatin was the most prescribed statin in the UK for many years before atorvastatin became the dominant choice. At 20mg, it is a moderate-intensity statin used to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. While prescribing has shifted largely to atorvastatin, many patients remain stable on simvastatin.
The Drug Tariff price for Simvastatin 20mg is approximately 60p per 28-tablet pack. As with other statins, the NHS prescription charge of £9.90 represents a very large markup on the actual drug cost.
For patients who are stable on Simvastatin 20mg and not exempt from prescription charges, RepeatsDirect can supply it for £5.50 per month via a private prescription, saving £4.40 each month.
How can you save money on Simvastatin 20mg?
Patients in England who pay the prescription charge can switch to a private prescription for Simvastatin 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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