Data sources
How the figures on this site are sourced, and how current each dataset is.
PharmaInsight is built entirely on NHS open data. Every dataset below is published by the NHS Business Services Authority or NHS England and is free to reuse under the Open Government Licence. We import each one monthly, validate it before it goes live, and show the coverage so you can always see how current a figure is.
Independent analysis of NHS open data. Not affiliated with the NHS. Figures are not medical advice.
| Dataset | What it is | Coverage | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Prescribing Data (EPD) | Monthly GP-practice prescribing by BNF presentation. Used here for the dispensing-practice pages. Explore → | Nov 2020 to Mar 2026 | 99,339,142 |
| Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) | The authoritative national series of items and cost per presentation dispensed in the community. Explore → | Jan 2021 to Mar 2026 | 36,306,785 |
| Hospital prescribing dispensed in the community | Medicines prescribed by hospitals but dispensed by community pharmacies and dispensing practices. Explore → | Dec 2016 to Mar 2026 | 17,129,723 |
| Secondary Care Medicines Data (SCMD) | Medicines issued in English NHS hospitals, with an indicative cost. Explore → | Apr 2020 to Mar 2026 | 18,851,476 |
| BNF Code Information | The reference mapping of BNF presentation, product, chemical and chapter codes to names. | Reference directory | 55,332 |
| Dispensing practice name and address | The directory of GP practices that dispense, with addresses and dispensing GP counts. Explore → | Reference directory | 970 |
| Pharmacy openings and closures | Monthly counts of England community pharmacies, and how many open and close. Explore → | Reference directory | 65 |
| Prescriber details | The register of prescribing organisations and cost centres. | Reference directory | 12,542 |