Venlafaxine 150mg: Cost, Savings, and How to Pay Less
Venlafaxine 150mg is a higher-dose SNRI for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, costing approximately £1.45 per pack on the Drug Tariff.
How much does Venlafaxine 150mg cost on the NHS?
Venlafaxine 150mg has a Drug Tariff price of approximately £1.45 for a 28-capsules pack — a full month's supply. Yet NHS patients in England pay a flat £9.90 per item. With 7m items dispensed in 2024/25, Venlafaxine 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 Venlafaxine 150mg actually cost?
The NHS Drug Tariff lists the reimbursement price for Venlafaxine 150mg at approximately £1.45 per 28-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
£1.45
per pack
NHS charge
£9.90
583% markup
Our price
£5.50
via private Rx
Venlafaxine has approximately 7m items dispensed annually in England (NHSBSA PCA 2024/25).
What is Venlafaxine used for?
Venlafaxine 150mg is used when the 75mg dose does not provide adequate response. At 150mg, the noradrenaline reuptake inhibition becomes more significant, which can be beneficial for patients who have not responded to SSRIs.
The Drug Tariff price for Venlafaxine 150mg MR capsules is approximately £1.45 per 28-pack. The NHS charge of £9.90 is nearly seven times the drug cost.
RepeatsDirect can supply Venlafaxine 150mg for £5.50 per month via private prescription, saving patients £4.40 per month.
How can you save money on Venlafaxine 150mg?
Patients in England who pay the prescription charge can switch to a private prescription for Venlafaxine 150mg 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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