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Published 2 July 2026.
Publication
Summary
This publication shows the costs of medicines, appliances, dressings and medical devices prescribed within primary and secondary care in England. We use ‘medicines’ as a short-hand for ‘medicines, appliances, dressings and medical devices’.
This publication is an Official Statistics release. It is produced in line with the standards set out in the Code of Practice for statistics. This publication is an ad hoc release of figures at a calendar year level. In future, these figures will be included as part of our usual releases.
The statistics in this publication detail:
• cost breakdowns by calendar year and month within each setting
• cost breakdowns by BNF Chapter and BNF Section level by calendar year and setting
• calendar year cost breakdowns in each setting by Integrated Care Board (ICB)
• a view of the data down to calendar year, BNF Chapter, BNF Section and ICB combined
We use Net Ingredient Costs (NIC) for items dispensed in the community, and Actual Costs for items issued in hospitals and the Adult Secure Estate. However, to provide a more complete measure of the total cost to NHS commissioners for the provision of medicines in England, we also show the Actual Cost for items dispensed in the community, at national level.
We also release a financial year version of this publication with a full narrative report, supporting data tables, and a background and methodology document. You can find the latest financial year statistics on the Prescribing Costs in Hospitals and the Community 2024/25 webpage.
Key findings
In 2025, NHS commissioners in England spent an estimated £21.4 billion for the issue of medicines, appliances, and medical devices, after £759 million in central rebates. Rebates are invoiced along financial year timescales. Therefore, sometimes there are delays in processes which mean a rebate might be received for two full years for one product in a single financial year.
Before central rebates, the cost to NHS commissioners was an estimated £22.2 billion - up 4.3% from £21.3 billion in 2024.
This £22.2 billion is made up of:
- £10.6 billion for medicines prescribed in primary care and dispensed in the community
- £11.4 billion for medicines issued in hospitals
- £111 million for medicines prescribed in hospitals and dispensed in the community
- £35.1 million for medicines prescribed by dentists and dispensed in the community
- £27.8 million for medicines prescribed and dispensed in the Adult Secure Estate
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Responsible statisticians: Graham Platten