Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid was ranked 1272nd of 1,792 medicines by items in May 2026, with 106 items, up 17.8% on a year earlier.
Dispensed in May 2026
Rolling 12 months
Net ingredient cost · May 2026
Figure 1. Salicylic acid: national items dispensed by month
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
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At a glance
- Therapeutic class Preparations for eczema and psoriasis
- Presentations 15 shown
- Average cost / item £67.34
- Year on year Up 17.8% on a year earlier
Top presentations, May 2026
The individual products dispensed under Salicylic acid this month.
| Presentation | BNF code | Items | Net ingredient cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salicylic acid 5% ointment in a base | 1305020S0AACZCZ | 26 | £545 |
| Salicylic acid 5% cream | 1305020S0AAA4A4 | 18 | £418 |
| Salicylic acid 2% ointment | 1305020S0AAABAB | 16 | £645 |
| Salicylic acid 2% in Aqueous cream | 1305020S0AACSCS | 11 | £360 |
| Zinc and Salicylic acid paste | 1305020S0AACUCU | 10 | £304 |
| Salicylic acid 10% in Aqueous cream | 1305020S0AACRCR | 6 | £180 |
| Salicylic acid 20% in Aqueous cream | 1305020S0AABPBP | 5 | £430 |
| Salicylic acid 1% in Aqueous cream | 1305020S0AACTCT | 4 | £1,003 |
| Salicylic acid 2% lotion | 1305020S0AAAEAE | 2 | £549 |
| Salicylic acid 40% in Yellow soft paraffin | 1305020S0AABUBU | 2 | £783 |
| Salicylic acid 25% in White soft paraffin | 1305020S0AACJCJ | 2 | £1,300 |
| Salicylic acid 3% in Aqueous cream | 1305020S0AABTBT | 1 | £161 |
| Salicylic acid 2% in White soft paraffin | 1305020S0AACCCC | 1 | £326 |
| Salicylic acid 5% in Generic Unguentum M cream | 1305020S0AACWCW | 1 | £84 |
| Salicylic acid 5% in Aqueous cream | 1305020S0AADTDT | 1 | £50 |
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis · to May 2026 OGL v3.0
Where Salicylic acid is dispensed
The regions and dispensing practices with the highest Salicylic acid volumes.
Top regions
- NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board 13
- NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board 12
- NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board 12
- NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board 11
- NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board 9
- NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board 8
Top dispensing practices
Regional volumes from NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis; practice volumes from NHS dispensing data.
Compare Salicylic acid with
Other medicines in the same BNF section, by prescribing volume.