Scotland's prescription volume grows
Prescription volume continues to rise in Scotland, according to the latest NHS statistics published last week.
The number of NHS prescriptions dispensed in the community rose from
74.7 million in 2004–05 to 77.3 million in 2005–06. The increase
is accompanied by a rise in the number of prescriptions per person: the
figure in 2005–06 stands at 14.34 prescriptions dispensed per person
on GPs’ lists compared with 13.90 in 2004–05.
Aspirin is the most frequently dispensed drug according to volume, followed
by (in order) bendroflumethiazide, co-codamol, simvastatin, atenolol,
salbutamol, levothyroxine, omeprazole, paracetamol and amoxicillin.
In terms of cost, atorvastatin takes the number one spot. The rest of
the top 10 are (in order) omeprazole, lansoprazole, salmeterol with fluticasone,
simvastatin, clopidogrel, amlodipine, co-codamol, alendronic acid and
blood glucose testing strips.
The statistics are published by ISD Scotland, the information division
of NHS National Services Scotland, and can be accessed
online. |
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