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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

May 2024 in numbers

NHS community prescribing in England (Prescription Cost Analysis).
Data updated May 2024
106,389,854items

Dispensed in May 2024

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

£931,890,803

Net ingredient cost, May 2024

NHSBSA PCA

Most-dispensed medicines

Download full month (CSV)
Top medicines by items, May 2024
MedicineItemsNet ingredient cost
Atorvastatin 6,067,258 £12,100,352
Amlodipine 3,376,126 £3,093,978
Lansoprazole 3,082,704 £4,100,947
Omeprazole 3,081,506 £9,215,660
Ramipril 2,983,491 £4,016,899
Levothyroxine sodium 2,955,049 £4,445,189
Bisoprolol fumarate 2,549,710 £2,284,670
Colecalciferol 2,388,249 £9,250,663
Metformin hydrochloride 2,244,167 £7,018,565
Sertraline hydrochloride 2,085,275 £3,786,670
Salbutamol 1,759,172 £5,801,310
Aspirin 1,738,586 £1,514,464

Biggest risers

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

Biggest risers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Tirzepatide 26,570 +111.1%
Norethisterone 34,188 +30.9%
Diclofenac sodium 13,958 +23.0%
Sodium cromoglicate 70,908 +20.7%
Ketoconazole 61,245 +14.9%
Medroxyprogesterone acetate 23,415 +14.0%
Olopatadine 27,450 +13.0%
Fexofenadine hydrochloride 593,157 +12.3%

Biggest fallers

Largest month-on-month fall in items.

Biggest fallers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Influenza 87,169 −24.9%
Other individually formulated bought in preparations 27,089 −21.5%
Dulaglutide 72,056 −14.0%
Urostomy Bags 12,473 −12.0%
Hypromellose 40,022 −10.7%
Colostomy Bags 36,987 −10.5%
Permethrin 20,110 −9.4%
Skin Protectors 25,480 −9.3%