Paracetamol vs Codeine phosphate
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Paracetamol was dispensed 2.7× as often as Codeine phosphate in March 2026 — 1,327,611 items versus 499,752 in England.
1,327,611items
Paracetamol · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
499,752items
Codeine phosphate · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Paracetamol versus Codeine phosphate: national items dispensed by month
▬ Paracetamol · ╌ Codeine phosphate
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Paracetamol | Codeine phosphate |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 1,327,611 | 499,752 |
| Items, last 12 months | 15,763,745 | 5,659,640 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £5,728,363 | £1,194,026 |
See the full profile for Paracetamol or Codeine phosphate.