Using Your Pharmacy
Can I get malaria tablets from a pharmacy?
By Pick My Pharmacy Editorial · Updated 9 July 2026
Why you pay for malaria tablets — and where to get them
Malaria prevention for travel sits outside normal NHS prescribing, so antimalarials are a private purchase however you obtain them. That leaves three pharmacy routes. First, many community pharmacies — especially those running travel clinics — can supply antimalarials directly after a pharmacist-led travel risk assessment, under a patient group direction. Second, any pharmacy can dispense them against a private prescription from a GP or travel clinic. Third, GPhC-registered online pharmacies supply them after an online consultation covering your itinerary and medical history, posted to your door. Prices for the same drug vary noticeably between pharmacies, so comparing is worthwhile — but be wary of any website offering antimalarials with no questions asked, which is a red flag for an unregistered seller.
The main tablets compared
Three antimalarials cover most UK travellers, and they differ in schedule and price more than headline effectiveness. Atovaquone/proguanil (branded Malarone, widely available as generics) is taken daily from one to two days before travel until seven days after leaving the risk area — the shortest tail, generally well tolerated, and typically the most expensive per day, so a long trip adds up. Doxycycline is taken daily from one to two days before travel but continues for four weeks after return; it's usually the cheapest by a distance, with sun sensitivity its best-known drawback. Mefloquine is one tablet weekly, started two to three weeks before departure — partly so any side effects appear before you travel — and continued four weeks after; it can suit long trips but isn't appropriate with certain mental health or seizure histories. As a rough guide, a typical two-week trip might cost under £20 on generic doxycycline and several times that on atovaquone/proguanil — always check current prices.
Why the risk assessment matters
There is no single best malaria tablet — the right choice depends on where exactly you're going, and getting that match wrong can leave you unprotected. Drug resistance varies by region, so a tablet that's appropriate for one country can be the wrong recommendation for its neighbour. The assessment also screens your medical history: pregnancy, epilepsy, mental health history, and interactions with regular medicines all rule specific antimalarials in or out. A pharmacy travel clinic consultation works through your full itinerary — including stopovers and rural versus city stays — against the current country guidance, and covers vaccinations at the same time. Check NHS Fit for Travel yourself first for your destination; some regions need tablets, others only bite precautions, and season can change the answer.
Tablets are half the job — and what to do about fever
No antimalarial is 100% effective, so bite prevention remains essential alongside the tablets: DEET-based repellent, long sleeves and trousers from dusk, and bed nets where accommodation isn't screened or air-conditioned. Take the full course exactly as scheduled — the post-travel tail (seven days for atovaquone/proguanil, four weeks for doxycycline and mefloquine) covers parasites picked up late in the trip, and stopping early is a common cause of preventable malaria. Finally, know the red flag: fever or flu-like illness within a year of visiting a malaria area — and especially within the first three months — needs same-day medical assessment, even if you took every tablet correctly. Tell the clinician where you travelled. This page is general information, not medical advice; speak to a pharmacist, travel clinic or GP about your specific trip, and contact NHS 111 for urgent concerns.
People Also Ask
How far in advance do I need to sort malaria tablets?
Ideally four to six weeks before departure. Mefloquine needs starting two to three weeks before travel, and earlier planning leaves room to switch drugs if the first choice doesn't suit you. That said, atovaquone/proguanil only needs starting one to two days before travel, so last-minute trips can usually still be covered — ask a pharmacy travel clinic.
Can I buy malaria tablets without any consultation?
No — antimalarials in the UK are supplied only after a risk assessment, whether that's a pharmacist consultation in store, an online pharmacy questionnaire, or a prescription. A website selling them with no health questions is not operating legally and should be avoided.
Which malaria tablet is cheapest?
Doxycycline is usually the cheapest per tablet, though it must continue for four weeks after your return. Atovaquone/proguanil costs the most per day but has the shortest course. For longer trips, weekly mefloquine can work out economical if it's clinically suitable. Compare total course costs between pharmacies, not just the per-pack price.
Do children need malaria tablets too?
Yes — children travelling to risk areas need protection, with doses based on weight, and some drugs (like doxycycline) aren't suitable for young children. A travel clinic or GP should assess children rather than an adult-only online service.
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This article is general information for UK patients, not medical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on nhs.uk or speak to a pharmacist or GP before acting. For urgent medical help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency. Price figures are indicative benchmarks from ourmethodology.