In 2025, the NHS continues to issue over a billion prescriptions each year. But which medicines are most commonly prescribed – and what do they reveal about the nation’s health?

A closer look at prescribing data shows that a small group of drug types dominate NHS prescriptions. These drugs mainly treat long-term, common conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, digestive issues, and pain. The rise of these drug classes reflects a growing focus on prevention, chronic disease management, and improving long-term quality of life.

Let’s explore the top categories of medicines in the UK this year – and what’s driving their demand.

Statins: The UK's Most Prescribed Drug Class

Statins are medicines that lower cholesterol levels, which helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. By 2025, atorvastatin remains the single most prescribed medicine in the country, with over 55 million prescriptions issued annually¹.

Statin use has increased due to NICE guideline changes, which now recommend statins not just for people who’ve had a heart attack, but also for those at moderate cardiovascular risk². This means millions more people – especially those over 40 – are eligible for statins even if they haven’t been diagnosed with heart disease.

Doctors prescribe statins as a preventive measure, helping patients manage their risk of future heart problems. The approach is working: statins are credited with reducing cardiovascular events by up to 30% in eligible groups.

As physiotherapists, we’re cautious about the over-prescribing of statins, and we know there seems to be a correlation between joint pains, muscle pains, and statins. We always advocate dietary improvements and exercise. Seeing our team at Surrey Physio can support your weight-loss goals and improve your joint health.

Blood Pressure Medications: Amlodipine and Ramipril Lead the Way

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects about 1 in 3 UK adults³, many of whom may not even know they have it. Because high blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems, treating it early is key.

That’s where antihypertensive drugs come in. In 2025, amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) and ramipril (an ACE inhibitor) remain some of the most commonly prescribed medicines. Amlodipine alone accounts for over 30 million prescriptions⁴ each year.

These drugs are often taken for life and are usually well-tolerated, making them a cornerstone of long-term NHS care.

However, again, at Surrey Physio we believe that diet, exercise, and improving lifestyle are key to lowering blood pressure. Reducing pains, reducing anxiety, eating well, and exercising will help reduce blood pressure. These are all the things we discuss with patients.

Diabetes Medicines: Meeting the Needs of a Growing Crisis

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise across the UK, driven by rising rates of obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and aging. The NHS continues to manage this challenge with a mix of traditional and newer drugs.

Metformin is the long-standing first-line treatment, but dapagliflozin – part of a newer class called SGLT2 inhibitors – has gained significant ground. In 2025, dapagliflozin prescriptions have passed 5 million annually⁵, reflecting its added benefits in protecting the heart and kidneys.

These newer agents not only help manage blood sugar but also reduce hospitalisations for heart failure and slow the progression of kidney disease⁶ – making them a valuable long-term investment for the NHS.

As physios at Surrey Physio, again we worry about these drugs. We want to see a UK where patients eat less sugary foods and fewer carbohydrates, and exercise more to “burn the sugar”. We know this helps reduce sugar levels and prevents the onset of Type II diabetes.

Stomach Acid Medicines: Proton Pump Inhibitors Still Widespread

If you've ever had heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux, chances are you've taken a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) like omeprazole or lansoprazole. These drugs reduce stomach acid and are used to treat conditions like gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and ulcers.

In 2025, PPIs remain among the top five most prescribed drug groups, with over 40 million prescriptions issued⁷. Although these medicines are cheap and effective, experts have raised concerns about long-term use.

Some patients stay on PPIs for years without reassessment, even though NICE recommends regular reviews to reduce unnecessary use. Long-term PPI use may be linked to side effects like nutrient deficiencies, bone thinning, and kidney issues.

As physios, we give nutritional advice too, to help support patients to eat healthy and to eat the right foods for them. Eating a balanced healthy (and ideally organic) diet is a key factor for good gut health. Also, only ever use antibiotics if it is entirely necessary, as they can have a negative effect on gut health.

Painkillers: Still Common, but Under Closer Scrutiny

Pain relief remains a big part of NHS prescribing. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and combination drugs that include codeine are still widely used for conditions ranging from arthritis to post-operative pain.

However, there’s been a growing effort to reduce opioid use, particularly stronger forms like morphine and oxycodone. Although milder painkillers still account for millions of prescriptions annually, the NHS is now placing a stronger emphasis on non-drug pain management, such as physiotherapy, to avoid long-term medication reliance⁸.

One of the best ways to reduce painkillers is to address your pain from a musculoskeletal perspective. That’s where we come in at Surrey Physio Group. We can help sort your pain out so you don’t need the pain meds.

What Do These Prescribing Trends Tell Us?

One thing is clear: these drugs aren’t treating short-term illnesses. Most of the top-prescribed medicines are for chronic, ongoing health conditions – like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or acid reflux.

This highlights a key shift in NHS care: it’s no longer just about treating acute illness. It’s about managing long-term conditions, preventing complications, and improving life expectancy.

The growing use of these medicines also reflects the realities of an aging population. Many people over 65 take multiple medications, a phenomenon known as polypharmacy. Managing this safely – through regular medication reviews and “deprescribing” where needed – is now a priority for GPs and pharmacists alike.

Why Does This Matter for Patients?

Understanding these prescribing trends can help patients be more informed about the medications they’re taking – and why.

• If you’ve been prescribed a statin, it’s likely part of a strategy to prevent heart disease, even if you feel well.
• If you’re on blood pressure medication, it’s helping protect your arteries, heart, and brain.
• If you’ve been on a PPI for a long time, it might be time to check in with your GP and see if it’s still needed.

Looking Ahead

Prescribing trends are shaped by NICE guidance, population health needs, and the development of new medications. As we move forward, there’s likely to be:

• More focus on prevention, with drugs used to lower disease risk earlier in life.
• More personalised prescribing, tailored to individual risk and response.
• Continued growth in newer drug classes, like GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight and diabetes management.
• Greater use of physiotherapists and osteopaths as natural healthcare practitioners, to support patients to find health.

As the NHS continues to evolve, so too will its prescribing patterns. But one thing is certain: medicines will remain central to helping people live longer, healthier lives – and understanding what we prescribe (and why) is a vital part of that picture.

References

1. NHS Business Services Authority. Prescription Cost Analysis – England 2024/25. NHSBSA; 2025
2. NICE. Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification. CG181; updated 2023.
3. Public Health England. Health Survey for England 2023: Hypertension. 2024.
4. NHSBSA. Top 100 Prescribed Items by Volume – England 2025.
5. NICE. Type 2 diabetes in adults: management. NG28; updated 2024.
6. OpenPrescribing.net. Dapagliflozin prescribing trends.
7. Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary 2025. BMJ Publishing and RPS.
8. Faculty of Pain Medicine. Opioids Aware. Royal College of Anaesthetists; 2023.