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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

Guaifenesin

Respiratory System Cough preparations BNF 0309020G0
Data updated May 2026 Download CSV

Guaifenesin was ranked 1199th of 1,792 medicines by items in May 2026, with 99 items, up 5.3% on a year earlier.

99items +5.3%

Dispensed in May 2026

1,416items

Rolling 12 months

£535

Net ingredient cost · May 2026

Figure 1. Guaifenesin: national items dispensed by month

0 93 186 Jan 2021 Nov 2021 Sep 2022 Jul 2023 May 2024 Mar 2025 May 2026 99 Jan 2021: 78 Feb 2021: 86 Mar 2021: 67 Apr 2021: 71 May 2021: 61 Jun 2021: 89 Jul 2021: 68 Aug 2021: 75 Sep 2021: 87 Oct 2021: 163 Nov 2021: 152 Dec 2021: 152 Jan 2022: 154 Feb 2022: 108 Mar 2022: 164 Apr 2022: 108 May 2022: 102 Jun 2022: 90 Jul 2022: 98 Aug 2022: 64 Sep 2022: 72 Oct 2022: 96 Nov 2022: 118 Dec 2022: 158 Jan 2023: 133 Feb 2023: 109 Mar 2023: 115 Apr 2023: 99 May 2023: 95 Jun 2023: 73 Jul 2023: 70 Aug 2023: 68 Sep 2023: 93 Oct 2023: 133 Nov 2023: 118 Dec 2023: 163 Jan 2024: 180 Feb 2024: 145 Mar 2024: 156 Apr 2024: 122 May 2024: 141 Jun 2024: 102 Jul 2024: 115 Aug 2024: 93 Sep 2024: 109 Oct 2024: 165 Nov 2024: 158 Dec 2024: 167 Jan 2025: 186 Feb 2025: 117 Mar 2025: 135 Apr 2025: 113 May 2025: 94 Jun 2025: 91 Jul 2025: 78 Aug 2025: 80 Sep 2025: 108 Oct 2025: 126 Nov 2025: 139 Dec 2025: 161 Jan 2026: 148 Feb 2026: 125 Mar 2026: 139 Apr 2026: 122 May 2026: 99

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026

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At a glance

  • Therapeutic class Cough preparations
  • Presentations 6 shown
  • Average cost / item £5.40
  • Year on year Up 5.3% on a year earlier
What this is
Net ingredient cost is the list price before discounts and dispensing fees, not what the NHS finally pays.

Top presentations, May 2026

The individual products dispensed under Guaifenesin this month.

Presentations of Guaifenesin, May 2026
Presentation BNF code Items Net ingredient cost
Robitussin Chesty Cough 100mg/5ml oral solution 0309020G0BBACAB 71 £397
Covonia Chesty Cough Sugar Free syrup 0309020G0BVAAAE 12 £60
Benylin Chesty Coughs Non-Drowsy oral solution 0309020G0BNACAP 9 £44
Benylin Mucus Cough Max Honey & Lemon Flavour 100mg/5ml syr 0309020G0BNAHAB 5 £26
Benylin Children's Chesty Coughs 50mg/5ml oral solution 0309020G0BNADAN 1 £3
Benylin Mucus Cough Max Menthol 100mg/5ml oral solution 0309020G0BNAGAB 1 £5

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis · to May 2026 OGL v3.0

Where Guaifenesin is dispensed

The regions and dispensing practices with the highest Guaifenesin volumes.

Regional volumes from NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis; practice volumes from NHS dispensing data.

Compare Guaifenesin with

Other medicines in the same BNF section, by prescribing volume.