Healthcare costs in the United Kingdom (2026)
The NHS Drug Tariff, published monthly by the NHS Business Services Authority, sets the price the NHS pays pharmacies in England and Wales for common generic medicines (Category M). For hospital treatment, the NHS Payment Scheme sets national prices that the NHS pays hospitals in England for each procedure. NHS patients do not pay these prices.
Medicine prices in the United Kingdom
Every medicine on the official list, with the NHS Drug Tariff price. How medicine prices work in the United Kingdom.
Most-listed medicines
- Methotrexate39 productsfrom £1.49
- Fentanyl34 productsfrom £6.53
- Hydrocortisone32 productsfrom £1.41
- Morphine32 productsfrom £2.88
- Nicotine28 productsfrom £5.44
- Buprenorphine25 productsfrom £1.33
- Ibuprofen24 productsfrom £0.72
- Colecalciferol23 productsfrom £1.55
- Estradiol23 productsfrom £4.07
- Valproate23 productsfrom £1.68
- Mesalazine22 productsfrom £14.81
- Paracetamol22 productsfrom £0.71
Cheapest and most expensive medicines in the United Kingdom
| Cheapest | Strength | Per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Gabapentin | 100 mg capsule | £0.013 |
| Colchicine | 500 mcg tablet | £0.015 |
| Baclofen | 10 mg tablet | £0.017 |
| Betahistine | 16 mg tablet | £0.019 |
| Nicorandil | 10 mg tablet | £0.020 |
| Meloxicam | 15 mg tablet | £0.021 |
| Amitriptyline | 10 mg tablet | £0.022 |
| Paracetamol | 500 mg tablet | £0.022 |
| Most expensive | Strength | Per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Fidaxomicin | 200 mg tablet | £67.50 |
| Ambrisentan | 10 mg tablet | £53.94 |
| Fingolimod | 500 mcg capsule | £52.50 |
| Tolvaptan | 7.5 mg tablet | £44.81 |
| Idebenone | 150 mg tablet | £35.36 |
| Baricitinib | 2 mg tablet | £28.77 |
| Eltrombopag | 25 mg tablet | £27.50 |
| Posaconazole | 100 mg tablet | £24.87 |
Treatment costs in the United Kingdom
| Treatment | Price range (local) | Range in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement | £7,396 – £11,087 | $9,887 – $14,821 |
| Hip Replacement | £7,426 – £14,235 | $9,927 – $19,030 |
| Cataract Surgery | £755 – £781 | $1,009 – $1,044 |
| Coronary Angioplasty | £2,196 – £7,243 | $2,936 – $9,683 |
| Heart Bypass Surgery (CABG) | £11,378 – £14,339 | $15,210 – $19,169 |
| Heart Valve Replacement | £10,340 – £13,470 | $13,823 – $18,007 |
| Pacemaker Implantation | £2,334 – £11,127 | $3,120 – $14,875 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) | £2,785 – £4,203 | $3,723 – $5,619 |
| Haemodialysis | £151 – £202 per session | $202 – $270 |
Medicine prices in the United Kingdom
| Medicine | Strength | Per unit | 30 units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metformin | 500 mg tablet | £0.024 | £0.72 |
| Amlodipine | 5 mg tablet | £0.024 | £0.72 |
| Atorvastatin | 10 mg tablet | £0.024 | £0.72 |
| Rosuvastatin | 10 mg tablet | £0.060 | £1.80 |
| Losartan | 50 mg tablet | £0.029 | £0.87 |
| Telmisartan | 40 mg tablet | £0.056 | £1.68 |
| Clopidogrel | 75 mg tablet | £0.033 | £1.00 |
| Levothyroxine | 50 mcg tablet | £0.031 | £0.92 |
| Pantoprazole | 40 mg gastro-resistant tablet | £0.033 | £0.98 |
| Omeprazole | 20 mg gastro-resistant capsule | £0.030 | £0.89 |
| Glimepiride | 2 mg tablet | £0.036 | £1.09 |
| Sitagliptin | 100 mg tablet | £0.073 | £2.20 |
| Metoprolol | 50 mg tablet (tartrate) | £0.053 | £1.58 |
Important: These are published reference prices and estimates, not a quote, and not medical advice. Actual costs depend on the hospital, your health, the exact treatment and your insurance. Always confirm the price with the provider before treatment. Read our disclaimer · Report an error