Coal tar vs Minoxidil
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Coal tar was dispensed 86.3× as often as Minoxidil in May 2026 — 36,066 items versus 418 in England.
36,066items
Coal tar · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
418items
Minoxidil · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Coal tar versus Minoxidil: national items dispensed by month
▬ Coal tar · ╌ Minoxidil
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
| Measure | Coal tar | Minoxidil |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 36,066 | 418 |
| Items, last 12 months | 455,386 | 6,530 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £242,318 | £15,789 |