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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

May 2025 in numbers

NHS community prescribing in England (Prescription Cost Analysis).
Data updated May 2025
107,888,893items

Dispensed in May 2025

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

£953,615,777

Net ingredient cost, May 2025

NHSBSA PCA

Most-dispensed medicines

Download full month (CSV)
Top medicines by items, May 2025
MedicineItemsNet ingredient cost
Atorvastatin 6,496,689 £6,594,750
Amlodipine 3,488,236 £3,054,238
Lansoprazole 3,173,979 £4,030,480
Ramipril 3,066,113 £3,409,514
Omeprazole 3,042,873 £8,532,502
Levothyroxine sodium 2,962,650 £3,908,464
Bisoprolol fumarate 2,619,523 £2,044,621
Colecalciferol 2,448,144 £9,928,365
Metformin hydrochloride 2,307,589 £7,332,431
Sertraline hydrochloride 2,142,146 £4,122,987
Aspirin 1,719,248 £1,280,037
Salbutamol 1,485,910 £4,564,842

Biggest risers

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

Biggest risers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Norethisterone 32,496 +24.3%
Fluconazole 56,691 +22.5%
Naftidrofuryl oxalate 12,507 +20.6%
Amorolfine hydrochloride 15,080 +16.0%
Medroxyprogesterone acetate 23,063 +14.8%
Other individually formulated bought in preparations 23,363 +12.3%
Tirzepatide 206,101 +12.3%
Diclofenac sodium 31,677 +12.2%

Biggest fallers

Largest month-on-month fall in items.

Biggest fallers month on month
MedicineItemsChange
Nystatin 44,156 −30.6%
Amoxicillin 600,088 −11.7%
Influenza 71,655 −11.3%
Doxycycline hyclate 294,727 −10.5%
Chloramphenicol 73,106 −8.2%
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) 231,512 −6.8%
Permethrin 18,788 −6.8%
Clarithromycin 146,189 −6.1%