Sildenafil on the NHS: Prescriptions, Cost and How to Get It

Sildenafil is a generic medicine. It has been available since 2013, when the original Viagra patent ended. Doctors widely prescribe it on the NHS.

Your GP can prescribe sildenafil if it is right for your erectile dysfunction.

In the past, the NHS limited PDE5 inhibitors to specific patient groups. This included men with diabetes or spinal cord injury. These rules have changed.

NICE now suggests offering PDE5 inhibitors to all men with erectile dysfunction. It is a first-line treatment.

How to get an NHS prescription:

• Book an appointment with your GP. You can also use an online GP service from your practice.
• Be ready to talk about your symptoms and medical history. Also mention any current medicines.
• Your GP may do basic health checks. This includes blood pressure and blood tests. For example, they may check fasting glucose and lipid profile. This helps rule out underlying causes.
• If sildenafil is suitable, your GP will give you a prescription. You can collect it from any pharmacy.

Your GP might also send you to a specialist. This happens if they suspect a heart or hormone problem is causing your erectile dysfunction.

The cost of sildenafil depends on how you get it.

NHS prescription:

• In England, you pay the standard NHS prescription charge. This is about 9.90 GBP per item as of 2026.
• In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, NHS prescriptions are free.
• You will not pay in England if you have a valid exemption certificate. This applies for certain medical conditions, age, or low income.

Over-the-counter (Viagra Connect):

• You can buy Viagra Connect 50 mg from pharmacies. You do not need a prescription. A pharmacist will first talk to you.
• Prices usually range from 5 GBP to 10 GBP per tablet. This depends on the pharmacy and pack size.
• It comes in packs of 4 or 8 tablets.

Private prescription or online pharmacy:

• Generic sildenafil from a regulated online pharmacy usually costs between 0.50 GBP and 2 GBP per tablet.
• Always check that an online pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). It should also show the Distance Selling Logo.

Generic sildenafil is one of the cheapest erectile dysfunction treatments in the UK.

Since 2018, Viagra Connect (sildenafil 50 mg) has been available without a prescription. You can buy it over the counter in UK pharmacies. You can speak to a pharmacist directly.

If the medicine is right for you, you can buy it on the same visit.

Who can buy Viagra Connect:

• Men aged 18 or over with erectile dysfunction.
• The pharmacist will ask about your health, medicines, and symptoms.
• It is not for men who take nitrates. It is also not for those with severe heart disease or other specific health issues.

What to expect at the pharmacy:

• The talk usually happens in a private consultation room.
• You will be asked about your blood pressure, heart conditions, and liver and kidney function. You will also discuss your medicines.
• If the pharmacist believes Viagra Connect is safe, they will give it to you.
• If there are any concerns, the pharmacist will send you to your GP.

Viagra Connect is only available as a 50 mg dose. If you need a different dose, such as 25 mg or 100 mg, you will need a prescription. Your GP or another prescriber can provide this.

Most men with erectile dysfunction can get an NHS prescription for sildenafil. This is based on current NICE guidance.

The old rules, which limited NHS prescribing to certain patient groups, are now much more relaxed.

Groups that used to get NHS-funded treatment:

• Men with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Men who had prostate surgery, such as a radical prostatectomy.
• Men with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or a spinal cord injury.
• Men receiving treatment for kidney failure, including dialysis.
• Men with severe distress due to erectile dysfunction. A specialist had to confirm this.

Now, GPs can prescribe sildenafil to any man with erectile dysfunction. This is true if it is clinically appropriate, no matter the cause.

If your GP is unsure, you can ask for a second opinion or a referral.

The NHS also pays for other PDE5 inhibitors. Tadalafil is one example. This is for men who might benefit from a medicine that works for longer.

Always ensure you use a genuine, regulated product. This applies whether you get sildenafil from the NHS, over the counter, or an online pharmacy.

Key safety checks:

• NHS prescriptions are given out by regulated pharmacies. There is no risk of fake products.
• Community pharmacies that sell Viagra Connect are regulated by the GPhC.
• Online pharmacies should show the GPhC logo and the EU/UK Distance Selling Logo. You can check their registration at pharmacyregulation.org.
• Avoid unregulated websites. They offer sildenafil without any checks or consultations. Fake erectile dysfunction medicines are common in the UK. They can contain harmful ingredients.

Medicines safety:

• Always tell your GP or pharmacist about all medicines you take. This includes supplements.
• Report any suspected side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk).
• If sildenafil does not work after several tries, go back to your GP. Do not increase the dose or try unregulated options.

The MHRA often warns about fake erectile dysfunction products. Using regulated sources protects your health.