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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

May 2021 in numbers

NHS community prescribing in England (Prescription Cost Analysis).
Data updated May 2021
89,069,321items

Dispensed in May 2021

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

£775,350,658

Net ingredient cost, May 2021

NHSBSA PCA

Most-dispensed medicines

Download full month (CSV)
Top medicines by items, May 2021
MedicineItemsNet ingredient cost
Atorvastatin 4,152,417 £7,391,400
Omeprazole 2,818,836 £7,822,034
Levothyroxine sodium 2,660,520 £5,894,558
Amlodipine 2,612,351 £3,621,441
Lansoprazole 2,467,487 £4,339,149
Ramipril 2,419,813 £3,759,499
Bisoprolol fumarate 2,099,366 £2,478,926
Colecalciferol 2,011,558 £7,742,383
Metformin hydrochloride 1,863,708 £8,093,477
Aspirin 1,675,909 £2,409,190
Sertraline hydrochloride 1,616,528 £6,849,724
Salbutamol 1,601,549 £4,110,493

Biggest risers

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

Biggest risers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Pneumococcal 27,829 +38.9%
Triamcinolone acetonide 14,975 +20.8%
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) 138,483 +17.4%
Methylprednisolone acetate 34,924 +15.5%
Progesterone 45,998 +14.6%
Other individually formulated bought in preparations 11,866 +14.0%
Amoxicillin 555,246 +12.6%
Dexamethasone 20,232 +11.7%

Biggest fallers

Largest month-on-month fall in items.

Biggest fallers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Influenza 57,814 −41.0%
Sodium cromoglicate 63,358 −16.8%
Hydrocortisone acetate 36,461 −15.6%
Hydrocortisone 296,807 −14.8%
Neomycin sulfate 33,579 −14.5%
Clobetasone butyrate 114,302 −14.3%
Light liquid paraffin 32,254 −13.0%
Betamethasone esters 27,712 −12.4%