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The number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England increased by four per cent to 1.26 billion between 2023-24 and 2024-25, according to the latest data from the NHS Business Services Authority.

In its annual prescription cost analysis, the NHSBSA also said the cost of dispensed prescription items increased from £10.9 billion in 2023-24 to £11.2 billion in 2024-25.

The most dispensed drug was Atorvastatin at 73 million items while Dapagliflozin produced the highest costs at £333 million. Forxiga 10mg tablets, a branded version of Dapagliflozin, had the largest increase in cost having risen by £97 million between 2023-24 and 2024-25.

England had the lowest prescription item cost per person in 2023-24

The cost of prescription items increased by 20 per cent, or £1.86 billion, between 2015-16 and 2024-25 while the number of prescription items dispensed rose by 170 million to 1.26 billion during the same period.

Of the four home nations, England had the lowest prescription item cost per person in 2023-24 with £189, followed by Wales (£223), Scotland (£238) and Northern Ireland (£261).

BNF Chapter 2 cardiovascular system had the highest number of items dispensed in 2024-25, accounting for 30 per cent of all items. BNF Chapter 6 endocrine system had the highest costs, accounting for 19 per cent of total costs.

The top five most dispensed drugs in 2024-25 were Atorvastatin (72.8 million items), Amlodipine (39.7 millon), Lansoprazole (36.6 million), Omeprazole (36 million) and Ramipril (35.1 million).

West Yorkshire integrated care board had the highest number of dispensed items per person in 2024-25 with 35 while Surrey Heartlands ICB had the lowest with 14.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB had the highest cost per person in 2024-25 with £417. South-East London ICB had the lowest cost with £133.

Hydrocortisone 0.5% cream had the highest increase in unit cost between 2023-24 and 2024-25, followed by Oxytetracycline 250mg tablets and Pregabalin 50mg capsules.