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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

March 2024 in numbers

NHS community prescribing in England (Prescription Cost Analysis).
Data updated March 2024
100,714,641items

Dispensed in March 2024

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

£882,241,956

Net ingredient cost, March 2024

NHSBSA PCA

Most-dispensed medicines

Download full month (CSV)
Top medicines by items, March 2024
MedicineItemsNet ingredient cost
Atorvastatin 5,679,682 £11,692,604
Amlodipine 3,178,214 £3,087,593
Omeprazole 2,923,387 £10,984,194
Lansoprazole 2,900,362 £4,182,293
Ramipril 2,807,453 £3,910,913
Levothyroxine sodium 2,789,021 £4,210,237
Bisoprolol fumarate 2,400,877 £2,444,224
Colecalciferol 2,261,546 £8,871,292
Metformin hydrochloride 2,112,892 £6,575,086
Sertraline hydrochloride 1,965,775 £3,754,599
Salbutamol 1,708,430 £5,368,455
Aspirin 1,646,559 £1,410,690

Biggest risers

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

Biggest risers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate 52,155 +24.0%
Other individually formulated bought in preparations 37,853 +20.6%
Semaglutide 123,354 +18.5%
Sodium cromoglicate 46,211 +14.1%
Hypromellose 49,945 +12.5%
Olopatadine 20,154 +11.7%
Adrenaline 36,459 +11.6%
Bempedoic acid/Ezetimibe 16,587 +10.8%

Biggest fallers

Largest month-on-month fall in items.

Biggest fallers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Influenza 193,128 −15.1%
Diphtheria 23,899 −11.3%
Brinzolamide/brimonidine 14,106 −9.3%
Typhoid 45,582 −8.4%
Lymphoedema Garments 45,582 −6.5%
Arm Sling/Bandages 36,977 −6.3%
Stockinette 33,427 −5.5%
Levonorgestrel 11,878 −5.0%