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Prescriptions Dispensed in the Community - Statistics for England, 2004-2014
Official statistics, National statistics- Publication Date:
- 7 Jul 2015
- Geographic Coverage:
- England
- Date Range:
- 01 Jan 2004 to 31 Dec 2014
Summary
This bulletin presents a summary of prescriptions dispensed in the community by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors in England. The bulletin highlights recent changes and the main trends between 2004 and 2014.
The specific source for these statistics is the Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) data. The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) publishes the Prescription Cost Analysis National Statistic, based on PCA figures for the most recent calendar year, annually, in April.
Highlights
- 1,064.6 million prescription items were dispensed in 2014, a 3.3 per cent increase (34.5 million items) on the previous year and a 55.2 per cent increase (378.4 million items) since 2004.
- The total net ingredient cost of prescriptions dispensed in 2014 increased to £8.9 billion, from £8.6 billion in 2013, an increase of 2.6 per cent (£227.5 million). This is a 9.6 per cent increase (£773.0 million) on 2004, when the total cost was £8.1 billion.
- The leading BNF Section in terms of net ingredient cost, for the eighth year in succession, is BNF 6.1 Drugs used in diabetes.
- In terms of therapeutic area, the greatest increase in the volume of prescribing in 2014 is of BNF Section 4.3, Antidepressant drugs, (3.8 million items).
- 89.9 per cent of all prescription items were dispensed free of charge, with 60.0 per cent dispensed free to patients claiming age exemption (aged 60 and over).
Administrative Sources
Prescription Cost Analysis
Resources
Last edited: 27 July 2018 9:35 am