Paracetamol vs Buprenorphine
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Paracetamol was dispensed 5.6× as often as Buprenorphine in May 2026 — 1,265,243 items versus 227,606 in England.
1,265,243items
Paracetamol · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
227,606items
Buprenorphine · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Paracetamol versus Buprenorphine: national items dispensed by month
▬ Paracetamol · ╌ Buprenorphine
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
| Measure | Paracetamol | Buprenorphine |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 1,265,243 | 227,606 |
| Items, last 12 months | 15,709,047 | 2,766,880 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £5,475,885 | £3,757,192 |
See the full profile for Paracetamol or Buprenorphine.