Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) vs Azithromycin

National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)

Data updated March 2026

Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) was dispensed 3.8× as often as Azithromycin in March 2026 — 316,146 items versus 82,539 in England.

316,146items

Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

82,539items

Azithromycin · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) versus Azithromycin: national items dispensed by month

▬ Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) · ╌ Azithromycin

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) versus Azithromycin, March 2026
Measure	Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V)	Azithromycin
Items, March 2026	316,146	82,539
Items, last 12 months	2,981,784	928,359
Net ingredient cost, March 2026	£659,506	£399,699