• SKIP TO CONTENT
  • SKIP NAVIGATION
  • Patient Resources
    • COVID-19 Patient Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials
    • Search Clinical Trials
    • Patient Notification System
    • What is Clinical Research?
    • Volunteering for a Clinical Trial
    • Understanding Informed Consent
    • Useful Resources
    • FDA Approved Drugs
  • Professional Resources
    • Research Center Profiles
    • Clinical Trial Listings
    • Market Research
    • FDA Approved Drugs
    • Training Guides
    • Books
    • eLearning
    • Events
    • Newsletters
    • White Papers
    • SOPs
    • eCFR and Guidances
  • White Papers
  • Trial Listings
  • Advertise
  • COVID-19
  • iConnect
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Home » Prescriptions in England up 60%, but costs up only 15% since 2003

Prescriptions in England up 60%, but costs up only 15% since 2003

July 9, 2014
CenterWatch Staff

The number of prescription items dispensed in England has increased by 58.5% since 2003, according to a new Health and Social Care Information Center (HSCIC) analysis. Over 1.03 billion items were prescribed in 2013, compared to 649.7 million in 2003.

The Prescriptions Dispensed in the Community 2003-2013 report looks at prescriptions dispensed in England by community pharmacists, appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions for items administered in GP practices. The number of prescription items topped one billion for the first time in 2012, and the latest data for 2013 shows that this has increased by a further 3% (29.6 million), reports HSCIC.

The overall Net Ingredient Cost (NIC) of prescriptions has increased by only 14.8% since 2003. In 2013, the overall NIC of prescriptions stood at $14.7 billion, compared to $12.8 billion in 2003 and $14.6 billion in 2012.

Of all prescription items, 90% are dispensed free of charge. The report shows 59.5% of these free items were dispensed to patients claiming an age exemption of 60 years and over, which accounted for 50.5% of overall NIC, and 4.7% were dispensed to patients claiming an age exemption of under 16, or full-time students aged 16-18, which accounted for 6.8% of the overall NIC.

The report also shows in 2013:

  • The cost of antidepressant drugs stood at $482.5 million, a 33.6% ($121.4 million) increase from 2012 ($361 million). The number of items dispensed reached 53.3 million, a 6.3% increase from 50.2 million in 2012.
  • The cost for drugs used in the treatment of diabetes stood at $1.4 billion, a 3.4% increase from 2012 ($1.3 billion). The number of prescription items dispensed reached 44.6 million, a 5.7% (2.4 million) increase from 42.2 million in 2012.

Kingsley Manning, HSCIC chair said, "The finding that over 60s accounted for almost 60% of the free prescriptions, which in turn make up 90% of all prescriptions, will help the NHS to understand the provision required for the aging population in England.”

Upcoming Events

  • 16Feb

    Fundamentals of FDA Inspection Management: Reduce Anxiety, Increase Inspection Success

  • 21May

    WCG MAGI Clinical Research Conference – 2023 East

Featured Products

  • Spreadsheet Validation: Tools and Techniques to Make Data in Excel Compliant

    Spreadsheet Validation: Tools and Techniques to Make Data in Excel Compliant

  • Surviving an FDA GCP Inspection

    Surviving an FDA GCP Inspection: Resources for Investigators, Sponsors, CROs and IRBs

Featured Stories

  • Revamp-360x240.png

    Califf Calls for Major Evidence Generation Revamp, Experts’ Opinions Differ

  • AskTheExpertsGreen-360x240.png

    Ask the Experts: Managing Investigational Products

  • SurveywBlueBackground-360x240.png

    Survey Outlines Site Challenges, Successes on Diversity

  • PatientCentricity-360x240.png

    Site Spotlight: DM Clinical Shows Patient Centricity Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank

Standard Operating Procedures for Risk-Based Monitoring of Clinical Trials

The information you need to adapt your monitoring plan to changing times.

Learn More Here
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Data

Footer Logo

300 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22046, USA

Phone 617.948.5100 – Toll free 866.219.3440

Copyright © 2023. All Rights Reserved. Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing