The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7361 p156
6 August 2005

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Over 686 million prescriptions dispensed in England last year — up 5.3 per cent

Just over 686 million prescriptions for medicines worth £8.08bn were dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors in England in 2004, according to statistics issued by the Department of Health (PDF 2.2MB). The number of prescriptions was up 5.3 per cent on the previous year, while the cost rose by 7.6 per cent.

As in earlier years, cardiovascular products made up the largest prescribing category, with almost 201 million prescription items being dispensed at a total net ingredient cost of £2.15bn. Cardiovascular prescribing was up 11.5 per cent on 2003 figures, with an associated 7 per cent increase in cost.

The figures are based on prescriptions written by GPs, dentists, nurses and hospital doctors and dispensed in the community in England. Hospital dispensing and prescriptions written in England and dispensed elsewhere are not included.