How Much Does ADHD Medication Cost Without NHS Shared Care?

The answer varies, depending on the provider, the medicine and where in the UK you live. Here's how the typical ongoing costs of private ADHD treatment break down, from prescriptions to medication and reviews.

Private ADHD treatment usually has several separate costs:

• assessment, to diagnose ADHD
• titration, to start medication and find the right dose
• prescription fees, charged by the provider for each prescription
• the medication itself, paid to the pharmacy
• reviews, to check your medication is still safe and working

How these are charged varies between providers, and some bundle several costs together.

Titration

Titration is the process of starting medication at a low dose and adjusting it gradually, with regular check-ins. It usually takes around 3 to 6 months. During this time, prescriptions and monitoring come from the specialist, so titration is usually one of the larger costs in the first year of private treatment. The cost and structure vary widely between providers.

Prescription fees

Without shared care, your private provider issues your prescriptions. Many ADHD medicines are controlled drugs, so prescriptions are usually limited to around a month's supply at a time. This means you'll usually need a new prescription each month.

Most private providers charge a fee for each prescription, and the amount varies from provider to provider. Some also charge for posting paper prescriptions, or a monthly admin fee. Because a new prescription is usually needed each month, these fees can add up over a year.

The medication itself

With a private prescription, you pay the pharmacy the full cost of the medicine. This isn't usually included in your provider's fees.

The cost depends on:

• the medicine you're prescribed
• the dose
• whether it's immediate-release or longer-acting
• the pharmacy you use

Longer-acting medicines usually cost more, and higher doses can cost more too. Prices can also differ noticeably between pharmacies for the same medicine.

Reviews

NICE guidelines recommend regular reviews for anyone taking ADHD medication. Private providers usually require them every 6 to 12 months to keep prescribing.

Each review is usually charged as a separate appointment, and fees vary between providers and depending on whether you see a psychiatrist or another specialist prescriber. Without shared care, you may need one or two reviews a year.

Once you're on a stable dose, your yearly costs without shared care are usually made up of:

• 12 monthly prescription fees
• 12 months of medication, paid to the pharmacy
• one or two review appointments
• any admin or postage fees

In the first year, the costs of assessment and titration come on top of this. Because ADHD medication is often taken for years, it's worth thinking about these ongoing costs over the long term, not just the first few months.

If your GP agrees to shared care, your GP issues prescriptions on the NHS. You then usually pay:

• NHS prescription charges: £9.90 per item in England, or £114.50 a year with a 12-month prescription prepayment certificate
• nothing for prescriptions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• an annual specialist review, if your private provider continues to review your care
• a one-off shared care fee, with some providers, to prepare the paperwork

In England, children under 16, and young people aged 16 to 18 in full-time education, get free NHS prescriptions. Some adults also qualify for free prescriptions, for example because of certain medical conditions or benefits.

Private fees for prescriptions, medication and reviews are broadly the same wherever you live, as many providers work online across the UK. What differs is the cost if shared care is agreed, and how likely shared care is in the first place.

England: NHS prescriptions cost £9.90 per item, or £114.50 a year with a prepayment certificate. Shared care policies vary between local areas. Some areas allow GPs to consider shared care after private treatment, while others currently have no arrangements in place with private providers.

Scotland: NHS prescriptions are free. There's no national policy on shared care after a private diagnosis, so decisions rest with individual GPs, sometimes informed by their local health board.

Wales: NHS prescriptions are free. There's no national policy on shared care with private providers yet, and people in Wales have reported being among the least likely in the UK to have shared care accepted after a private diagnosis.

Northern Ireland: NHS prescriptions are free. There's no regional policy on shared care after a private diagnosis, and arrangements vary between Health and Social Care Trusts. Children's ADHD medication usually stays with specialist services.

This means free NHS prescriptions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland only help if shared care is agreed. If it isn't, you'll usually pay the full private costs, wherever you live. Local rules can also change, so it's worth checking the current position with your GP practice before starting private treatment.

The costs for children's private ADHD treatment follow a similar pattern: titration, monthly prescription fees, medication and regular reviews.

If shared care is agreed, NHS prescriptions for children are free across the UK. Without shared care, you'll pay private prescription and medication costs as for adults.

Because fees vary so much, a full breakdown from a provider, including any prescription, admin or postage charges, gives a much clearer picture than a headline price. Your GP practice's approach to shared care can also make a big difference to long-term costs, and pharmacy prices for the same medicine can vary noticeably.

In England, Right to Choose may also offer access to NHS-funded assessment and, with some providers, medication. Whatever the route, ADHD medication should only ever be taken with a valid prescription. Many ADHD medicines are controlled drugs, and buying them elsewhere can be unsafe.

Raiys doesn't currently prescribe ADHD medication, so we don't offer titration, prescriptions or medication reviews. After your assessment, you'll receive a detailed written report, usually within 14 days, which you can share with your GP to talk about next steps.

Everyone diagnosed at Raiys can also use BeChange, our digital programme designed to help you build practical, everyday strategies at your own pace.

Raiys works nationwide, offering online ADHD assessments for adults and for children and young people aged 5 to 17 across the UK. Our experienced, specialist ADHD team follows NICE guidelines and provides a clear, detailed report you can share with your GP.

If you're in crisis right now, call 999, go to A&E, or call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time of day or night.

Ready to take the next step? Find out more about our adult ADHD assessment or child ADHD assessment.

NHS prescription charges in this article are correct as of October 2026. Private fees and local policies change regularly, so it's always worth checking the latest position before starting treatment.