Combined ethinylestradiol 20mcg vs Desogestrel
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Desogestrel was dispensed 8.4× as often as Combined ethinylestradiol 20mcg in March 2026 — 240,567 items versus 28,600 in England.
28,600items
Combined ethinylestradiol 20mcg · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
240,567items
Desogestrel · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Combined ethinylestradiol 20mcg versus Desogestrel: national items dispensed by month
▬ Combined ethinylestradiol 20mcg · ╌ Desogestrel
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Combined ethinylestradiol 20mcg | Desogestrel |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 28,600 | 240,567 |
| Items, last 12 months | 357,061 | 3,007,482 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £494,363 | £1,095,895 |
See the full profile for Combined ethinylestradiol 20mcg or Desogestrel.