Embarking on the IVF journey is a deeply personal experience filled with hope, challenges and important decisions. When we started IVF a couple of years ago one of the frustrating things was a lack of clarity about where we could buy the medication ourselves. We had to rely mainly on word of mouth or Mumsnet to get the right information.
If you just want our opinion, ASDA pharmacy is the cheapest in the UK, far cheaper than the pharmacy recommended to us by our clinic.
In the UK, there are several ways to access these medications safely and affordably and understanding your options can make a significant difference in both experience and cost.
Most people undergoing IVF will require a combination of drugs such as Clomifene citrate to stimulate ovulation, Metformin for those with polycystic ovary syndrome, Gonadotrophins to encourage the production of multiple eggs and other hormone regulators like Bromocriptine and Cabergoline. These medications are prescribed by fertility specialists, but it is up to patients to decide where to purchase them.
Specialist fertility pharmacies are a popular choice because they offer dedicated services tailored to IVF patients.
The Fertility Pharmacy is one such provider, offering home delivery, nurse support for injections and close coordination with fertility clinics.
The Fertility Medication Centre is another option that focuses on affordability and includes free next-day delivery, sharps bins and competitive pricing that can ease the financial burden on families.
Fertility2U brings over a decade of experience in delivering fertility medication across the UK, with added services such as instructional videos and digital support tools to help patients through their treatment. When we compared them with the recommended provider suggested by the clinic (Stork) the medication we needed came out around £600 cheaper with Fertility2U.
Blakeberry Pharmacy provides a unique service for those with prescriptions from abroad, offering to convert international prescriptions into UK-approved formats for a fee, making it easier for international patients to access the medication they need.
By far the best and most competitively priced for us was ASDA Pharmacy and it’s worth travelling to one if there isn’t one nearby. We saved around £900 compared with Stork and still around £200 compared with fertility to you. Call ahead and they will be able to offer you a price via email. You do have to pay up front and they say it takes 3-5 working days to be delivered.
When purchasing IVF medication, it is wise to request quotes from multiple pharmacies, both specialist and general. Delivery options should also be considered, especially for those with mobility or scheduling challenges. Many specialist pharmacies include delivery and additional services such as access to nurses or instructional support, which can help alleviate stress during treatment.
Half of women say cost stops them freezing their eggs
UPDATE We have just received this information from TFP Fertility which might help some of you looking at IVF.
Almost half of UK women (48%) say cost is stopping them from freezing their eggs, even though many are open to the idea.
New research from TFP Fertility reveals that affordability remains a key barrier for women considering fertility preservation.
One in four women surveyed (25%) believe egg freezing is simply too expensive to consider, despite growing interest and fertility concerns driving demand. Almost half (46%) of women in their late 20s to early 30s surveyed, said they would actively consider egg freezing as part of their fertility journey.
To address this, TFP Fertility is working with Access Fertility to provide egg freezing treatment on a 12-month payment plan with 0% interest, making it easier for women to take control of their fertility without the burden of upfront costs.