The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7204 p895-899
29 June 2002

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News summary

Prescription costs up 9.5 per cent

National Health Service prescription costs in England rose by 9.5 per cent in 2001 (6.9 per cent in real terms).

Statistics for 2001 released by the Department of Health on June 20 also show that the net ingredient cost (NIC) of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacies, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors was £6,117m, up from £5,585m in 2000. Prescription numbers rose 6.4 per cent from 551.8m to 587m. The average NIC per prescription item was £10.42, an increase of 3 per cent or 0.4 per cent in real terms.

Prescriptions dispensed in the community, England 1991–2001, is available from the Department of Health, PO Box 777, London, SE1 6XH, free of charge. It is also available on the internet.