Phased formulations of ethinylestradiol vs Desogestrel

National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)

Data updated March 2026

Desogestrel was dispensed 286.4× as often as Phased formulations of ethinylestradiol in March 2026 — 240,567 items versus 840 in England.

840items

Phased formulations of ethinylestradiol · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

240,567items

Desogestrel · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Phased formulations of ethinylestradiol versus Desogestrel: national items dispensed by month

▬ Phased formulations of ethinylestradiol · ╌ Desogestrel

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Phased formulations of ethinylestradiol versus Desogestrel, March 2026
Measure	Phased formulations of ethinylestradiol	Desogestrel
Items, March 2026	840	240,567
Items, last 12 months	11,746	3,007,482
Net ingredient cost, March 2026	£4,742	£1,095,895