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PharmaInsight

Codeine phosphate vs Pethidine hydrochloride

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

Codeine phosphate was dispensed 3,446.6× as often as Pethidine hydrochloride in March 2026 — 499,752 items versus 145 in England.

499,752items

Codeine phosphate · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

145items

Pethidine hydrochloride · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Codeine phosphate versus Pethidine hydrochloride: national items dispensed by month

▬ Codeine phosphate   ·   ╌ Pethidine hydrochloride

Pethidine hydroc… 499,752

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Codeine phosphate versus Pethidine hydrochloride, March 2026
Measure Codeine phosphate Pethidine hydrochloride
Items, March 2026 499,752 145
Items, last 12 months 5,659,640 1,754
Net ingredient cost, March 2026 £1,194,026 £8,511

See the full profile for Codeine phosphate or Pethidine hydrochloride.