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PharmaInsight

Paracetamol vs Pethidine hydrochloride

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

Paracetamol was dispensed 9,155.9× as often as Pethidine hydrochloride in March 2026 — 1,327,611 items versus 145 in England.

1,327,611items

Paracetamol · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

145items

Pethidine hydrochloride · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Paracetamol versus Pethidine hydrochloride: national items dispensed by month

▬ Paracetamol   ·   ╌ Pethidine hydrochloride

Pethidine hydroc… 1,327,611

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Paracetamol versus Pethidine hydrochloride, March 2026
Measure Paracetamol Pethidine hydrochloride
Items, March 2026 1,327,611 145
Items, last 12 months 15,763,745 1,754
Net ingredient cost, March 2026 £5,728,363 £8,511

See the full profile for Paracetamol or Pethidine hydrochloride.