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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

October 2023 in numbers

NHS community prescribing in England (Prescription Cost Analysis).
Data updated October 2023
105,092,073items

Dispensed in October 2023

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

£940,033,779

Net ingredient cost, October 2023

NHSBSA PCA

Most-dispensed medicines

Download full month (CSV)
Top medicines by items, October 2023
MedicineItemsNet ingredient cost
Atorvastatin 5,510,808 £14,077,529
Influenza 4,225,420 £55,641,324
Amlodipine 3,119,571 £2,972,046
Omeprazole 2,989,705 £12,559,236
Lansoprazole 2,924,030 £3,987,310
Levothyroxine sodium 2,847,052 £4,268,916
Ramipril 2,802,894 £3,893,664
Bisoprolol fumarate 2,425,424 £2,490,540
Colecalciferol 2,226,891 £8,230,665
Metformin hydrochloride 2,133,841 £6,828,424
Sertraline hydrochloride 1,961,602 £3,177,702
Salbutamol 1,779,025 £5,611,699

Biggest risers

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

Biggest risers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Influenza 4,225,420 +68.4%
Hypromellose 47,309 +58.4%
Amoxicillin 846,461 +37.6%
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate 16,589 +35.6%
Acetylcysteine 17,156 +31.5%
Doxycycline hyclate 345,056 +27.3%
Pancreatin 69,149 +26.3%
Permethrin 20,251 +26.2%

Biggest fallers

Largest month-on-month fall in items.

Biggest fallers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Liraglutide 14,805 −38.6%
Adrenaline 30,088 −28.1%
Potassium chloride 10,913 −23.9%
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate 41,644 −20.1%
Sodium cromoglicate 44,568 −11.0%
Colostomy Bags 35,609 −9.6%
Ileostomy Bags 59,251 −9.5%
Adhesive Discs/Rings/Pads/Plasters 23,265 −9.4%