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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

Biphasic isophane insulin vs Metformin hydrochloride

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

Metformin hydrochloride was dispensed 42.0× as often as Biphasic isophane insulin in April 2026 — 2,297,528 items versus 54,711 in England.

54,711items

Biphasic isophane insulin · April 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

2,297,528items

Metformin hydrochloride · April 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Biphasic isophane insulin versus Metformin hydrochloride: national items dispensed by month

▬ Biphasic isophane insulin   ·   ╌ Metformin hydrochloride

0 1.2m 2.4m Jan 2021 Oct 2021 Jul 2022 Apr 2023 Jan 2024 Oct 2024 Apr 2026 Metformin hydroc… 54,711 Jan 2021: 57k Feb 2021: 55k Mar 2021: 61k Apr 2021: 59k May 2021: 56k Jun 2021: 61k Jul 2021: 61k Aug 2021: 58k Sep 2021: 60k Oct 2021: 58k Nov 2021: 59k Dec 2021: 64k Jan 2022: 58k Feb 2022: 55k Mar 2022: 62k Apr 2022: 59k May 2022: 60k Jun 2022: 59k Jul 2022: 58k Aug 2022: 60k Sep 2022: 59k Oct 2022: 58k Nov 2022: 59k Dec 2022: 61k Jan 2023: 58k Feb 2023: 53k Mar 2023: 61k Apr 2023: 55k May 2023: 59k Jun 2023: 60k Jul 2023: 58k Aug 2023: 59k Sep 2023: 58k Oct 2023: 59k Nov 2023: 59k Dec 2023: 59k Jan 2024: 60k Feb 2024: 56k Mar 2024: 57k Apr 2024: 59k May 2024: 61k Jun 2024: 56k Jul 2024: 61k Aug 2024: 59k Sep 2024: 57k Oct 2024: 60k Nov 2024: 57k Dec 2024: 60k Jan 2025: 60k Feb 2025: 53k Mar 2025: 56k Apr 2025: 57k May 2025: 58k Jun 2025: 56k Jul 2025: 59k Aug 2025: 54k Sep 2025: 57k Oct 2025: 58k Nov 2025: 53k Dec 2025: 59k Jan 2026: 56k Mar 2026: 55k Apr 2026: 55k

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to April 2026

Biphasic isophane insulin versus Metformin hydrochloride, April 2026
Measure Biphasic isophane insulin Metformin hydrochloride
Items, April 2026 54,711 2,297,528
Items, last 12 months 677,875 27,559,401
Net ingredient cost, April 2026 £1,805,256 £5,058,201

See the full profile for Biphasic isophane insulin or Metformin hydrochloride.