The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7297 p533
1 May 2004

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650 million prescriptions dispensed in England last year

Nearly 650 million prescriptions for medicines worth over £7.5bn were dispensed by community pharmacies and dispensing doctors in England in 2003, according to detailed statistics issued by the Department of Health. The number of prescriptions was up 5.3 per cent on the previous year, while the cost rose by 9.7 per cent.

As in 2002, cardiovascular products made up the largest prescribing category, with almost 180 million prescription items being dispensed at a total net ingredient cost of nearly £2.01bn.

The figures are based on prescriptions written by GPs, dentists and hospital doctors and dispensed in the community in England. Hospital dispensing and prescriptions written in England and dispensed elsewhereare not included. The data can be downloaded from the Department of Health website.