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PharmaInsight

Benzoyl peroxide vs Adapalene

National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Data updated March 2026

Adapalene was dispensed 1.8× as often as Benzoyl peroxide in March 2026 — 12,313 items versus 7,011 in England.

7,011items

Benzoyl peroxide · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

12,313items

Adapalene · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Benzoyl peroxide versus Adapalene: national items dispensed by month

▬ Benzoyl peroxide   ·   ╌ Adapalene

Adapalene 7,011

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Benzoyl peroxide versus Adapalene, March 2026
Measure Benzoyl peroxide Adapalene
Items, March 2026 7,011 12,313
Items, last 12 months 81,856 144,863
Net ingredient cost, March 2026 £68,635 £247,786

See the full profile for Benzoyl peroxide or Adapalene.