Sources and methods

Which sources we use, in order #

1. The UK Summary of Product Characteristics for each medicine. Dose steps, the missed dose rule, storage and side effect rates come from here first.
2. The registration trials published in peer-reviewed journals, read in full rather than from press releases where possible.
3. NICE technology appraisals for who qualifies on the NHS.
4. NHS and MHRA pages for general advice and safety alerts.

Where a figure exists only in a press release or a non-UK label, the page says so.

How we read trial results #

Trials report two kinds of average. The treatment-regimen figure counts everyone randomised, including people who stopped. The efficacy figure counts people who stayed on treatment, so the figure runs higher. This site uses the treatment-regimen figure unless a page says otherwise, because the figure sits closer to what a mixed group of real patients sees.

Trial results are averages alongside diet and activity support. Your own result can be higher or lower.

How we check prices #

Every price is checked against the current price list at least monthly. Each price table shows the date of the last check. See the pricing policy.

Who reviews what #

The editorial team writes each page. The pharmacy team checks every clinical page against the UK product information before publication and at every review. Each page shows the last review date and the next planned review in the About this page box. Changes are logged on the updates page.

Machine-readable copies #

Everything on this site is published as open data under a Creative Commons Attribution licence, so researchers, journalists and AI systems can cite the figures directly. Each file carries the date of the last check.

• plans.json: every plan with dose prices and the main trial result
• doses.json: every licensed dose with price, stage, minimum weeks and the missed dose rule
• evidence.json: trial figures, dose steps, side effect rates and sources
• faq.json: every question and answer on the site
• glossary.json: treatment terms with definitions
• symptoms.json: the side effect guide
• index.json: an index of every page and feed

Every source, with the date last checked #