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Zinc oxide vs Hydrocortisone

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

Hydrocortisone was dispensed 3.7× as often as Zinc oxide in March 2026 — 42,454 items versus 11,417 in England.

11,417items

Zinc oxide · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

42,454items

Hydrocortisone · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Zinc oxide versus Hydrocortisone: national items dispensed by month

▬ Zinc oxide   ·   ╌ Hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone 11,417

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Zinc oxide versus Hydrocortisone, March 2026
Measure Zinc oxide Hydrocortisone
Items, March 2026 11,417 42,454
Items, last 12 months 135,707 523,113
Net ingredient cost, March 2026 £41,517 £276,248

See the full profile for Zinc oxide or Hydrocortisone.