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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

April 2021 in numbers

NHS community prescribing in England (Prescription Cost Analysis).
Data updated April 2021
93,016,975items

Dispensed in April 2021

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

£807,565,751

Net ingredient cost, April 2021

NHSBSA PCA

Most-dispensed medicines

Download full month (CSV)
Top medicines by items, April 2021
MedicineItemsNet ingredient cost
Atorvastatin 4,331,529 £7,715,489
Omeprazole 2,946,774 £8,156,787
Levothyroxine sodium 2,779,720 £6,147,705
Amlodipine 2,730,402 £3,783,061
Lansoprazole 2,574,138 £4,530,904
Ramipril 2,527,932 £3,922,247
Bisoprolol fumarate 2,191,536 £2,589,750
Colecalciferol 2,103,190 £8,098,769
Metformin hydrochloride 1,949,775 £8,458,848
Aspirin 1,761,418 £2,536,619
Sertraline hydrochloride 1,678,799 £7,118,069
Salbutamol 1,674,486 £4,313,184

Biggest risers

Largest month-on-month rise in items (medicines above 10,000 items).

Biggest risers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Sodium cromoglicate 76,187 +28.2%
Olopatadine 19,068 +15.8%
Fexofenadine hydrochloride 414,766 +15.3%
Desloratadine 17,841 +9.8%
Adhesive Discs/Rings/Pads/Plasters 22,308 +9.3%
Neomycin sulfate 39,275 +9.2%
Fluticasone propionate/azelastine hydrochloride (Nasal) 36,432 +8.3%
Beclometasone dipropionate 153,679 +6.9%

Biggest fallers

Largest month-on-month fall in items.

Biggest fallers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Influenza 97,961 −49.6%
Aminophylline hydrate 10,601 −28.5%
Other individually formulated bought in preparations 10,409 −24.2%
Pneumococcal 20,034 −21.5%
Adrenaline 25,312 −19.3%
Dexamethasone 87,019 −16.7%
Prednisolone 34,637 −14.1%
Clotrimazole 59,104 −13.1%