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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) vs Mercaptopurine

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

Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) was dispensed 4.4× as often as Mercaptopurine in May 2026 — 16,680 items versus 3,749 in England.

16,680items

Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) · May 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

3,749items

Mercaptopurine · May 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) versus Mercaptopurine: national items dispensed by month

▬ Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites)   ·   ╌ Mercaptopurine

0 10k 20k Aug 2024 Dec 2024 Apr 2025 Aug 2025 Dec 2025 May 2026 Mercaptopurine 16,680 Aug 2024: 3 Sep 2024: 13 Oct 2024: 60 Nov 2024: 133 Dec 2024: 174 Jan 2025: 407 Feb 2025: 668 Mar 2025: 1k Apr 2025: 2k May 2025: 3k Jun 2025: 4k Jul 2025: 6k Aug 2025: 4k Sep 2025: 7k Oct 2025: 8k Nov 2025: 7k Dec 2025: 8k Jan 2026: 11k Feb 2026: 15k Mar 2026: 20k Apr 2026: 19k May 2026: 17k

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026

Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) versus Mercaptopurine, May 2026
Measure Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) Mercaptopurine
Items, May 2026 16,680 3,749
Items, last 12 months 125,575 49,943
Net ingredient cost, May 2026 £512,708 £111,195

See the full profile for Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) or Mercaptopurine.