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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride vs Simple

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

Simple was dispensed 1,693.5× as often as Diphenhydramine hydrochloride in April 2026 — 3,387 items versus 2 in England.

2items

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride · April 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

3,387items

Simple · April 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride versus Simple: national items dispensed by month

▬ Diphenhydramine hydrochloride   ·   ╌ Simple

0 5k 9k Feb 2021 Nov 2021 Nov 2022 Aug 2023 Jul 2024 Mar 2025 Apr 2026 Simple 2 Feb 2021: 1 Mar 2021: 1 Apr 2021: 1 May 2021: 1 Jun 2021: 2 Aug 2021: 2 Sep 2021: 2 Oct 2021: 2 Nov 2021: 1 Dec 2021: 3 Feb 2022: 1 Mar 2022: 3 Apr 2022: 1 May 2022: 3 Jul 2022: 1 Sep 2022: 1 Nov 2022: 5 Dec 2022: 5 Jan 2023: 2 Feb 2023: 2 Mar 2023: 3 Apr 2023: 1 May 2023: 2 Jul 2023: 2 Aug 2023: 1 Nov 2023: 2 Dec 2023: 4 Jan 2024: 3 Feb 2024: 2 Mar 2024: 2 Apr 2024: 2 Jun 2024: 2 Jul 2024: 2 Aug 2024: 2 Sep 2024: 1 Oct 2024: 3 Nov 2024: 2 Dec 2024: 2 Jan 2025: 6 Feb 2025: 1 Mar 2025: 3 Apr 2025: 1 May 2025: 1 Jun 2025: 2 Jul 2025: 1 Aug 2025: 2 Oct 2025: 1 Jan 2026: 2 Feb 2026: 2 Mar 2026: 2 Apr 2026: 2

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to April 2026

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride versus Simple, April 2026
Measure Diphenhydramine hydrochloride Simple
Items, April 2026 2 3,387
Items, last 12 months 20 45,108
Net ingredient cost, April 2026 £7 £8,886

See the full profile for Diphenhydramine hydrochloride or Simple.