Paracetamol vs Buprenorphine
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Paracetamol was dispensed 5.7× as often as Buprenorphine in March 2026 — 1,327,611 items versus 233,896 in England.
1,327,611items
Paracetamol · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
233,896items
Buprenorphine · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Paracetamol versus Buprenorphine: national items dispensed by month
▬ Paracetamol · ╌ Buprenorphine
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Paracetamol | Buprenorphine |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 1,327,611 | 233,896 |
| Items, last 12 months | 15,763,745 | 2,762,051 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £5,728,363 | £3,873,919 |
See the full profile for Paracetamol or Buprenorphine.