Page last updated: 27-MAR-2007
Prescribing and Dispensing
Statistical Publication Notice
27th March 2007
Prescribing Statistics
SUMMARY OF RELEASE:
Annual prescribing statistics showing the number and cost of prescriptions for medicines used to treat antibacterial infections, obesity, rheumatic diseases and gout and smoking cessation interventions in Scotland.
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Prescribing of antibiotics increased by 0.6% between 2005 and 2006
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Prescribing of drugs indicated for the treatment of obesity rose by 15.7% between 2004/05 and 2005/06, up from 77,685 to 89,870 prescribed items.
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The use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs indicated for the treatment of arthritis and related conditions declined during 2005/06, falling from 2.85 million to 2.55 million items.
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Prescribing of smoking cessation products show seasonal variation, with sharp peaks around the months of January, February and March, with a decline after the March peak. Nicotine Replace Therapy (NRT) is the most prevalent treatment.
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PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
The prescribing in Scotland of medicines indicated for the treatment of bacterial infections (antibiotics), obesity, rheumatic diseases and gout and smoking cessation interventions in Scotland. Statistics are presented for 2005/06 and include the number of prescribed items, gross ingredient cost and the number of defined daily doses. Trend data are also given.
Antibacterial (antibiotic ) prescribing in the community
Prescribing of antibiotic drugs rose by 0.6% in 2005/06, up from 4.17 million to 4.20 million items.
The penicillins remain the most commonly prescribed, making up 54% of all antibiotic prescriptons.
Prescribing of antibiotic drugs rose by 0.6% in 2005/06, up from 4.17 million to 4.20 million items.
The penicillins remain the most commonly prescribed, making up 54% of all antibiotic prescriptons.
Amoxicillin accounts for 58% of all penicillin prescribing and about a third of all antibiotics.
Drugs indicated for the treatment of obesity (BNF 4.5)
Two drugs are indicated for the treatment of obesiy - orlistat, which acts on the gastro-intestinal tract, inhibiting the absorption of dietary fat and sibutramine, an appetite suppressant.
A total of 89,870 items (65,312 for orlistat and 24,558 for sibutamine) were prescribed in Scotland during 2005/06, an increase of 12,185 prescriptions over the previous year.
Two drugs are indicated for the treatment of obesiy - orlistat, which acts on the gastro-intestinal tract, inhibiting the absorption of dietary fat and sibutramine, an appetite suppressant.
A total of 89,870 items (65,312 for orlistat and 24,558 for sibutamine) were prescribed in Scotland during 2005/06, an increase of 12,185 prescriptions over the previous year.
Prescribing of orlistat continues to grow at a faster rate than sibutramine at 19.2% and 7.4% respectively in 2005/06.
Drugs indicated for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and gout (BNF 10.1)
A total of 2.55 million items were prescribed in Scotland during 2005/06, a decrease of some 300,000 (9.6%) from the previous year. A fall in the prescribing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the principal component of BNF 10.1, being the sole reason.
Main causes of the fall are the withdrawal of two cyclo-oxygenase -2 inhibitors (COX II), prescribing restriction on the remaining COX IIs and a decline in prescribing of the 'older' NSAIDs.
The gross ingredient cost of NSAIDs has fallen for the third consecutive year, down from £34.4 million in 2003/04, to £31.9 million in 2004/05 and £19.3 million in 2005/06. The reduction being due to the effects of price controls on the drugs.
A total of 2.55 million items were prescribed in Scotland during 2005/06, a decrease of some 300,000 (9.6%) from the previous year. A fall in the prescribing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the principal component of BNF 10.1, being the sole reason.
Main causes of the fall are the withdrawal of two cyclo-oxygenase -2 inhibitors (COX II), prescribing restriction on the remaining COX IIs and a decline in prescribing of the 'older' NSAIDs.
The gross ingredient cost of NSAIDs has fallen for the third consecutive year, down from £34.4 million in 2003/04, to £31.9 million in 2004/05 and £19.3 million in 2005/06. The reduction being due to the effects of price controls on the drugs.
Prescribing of Smoking Cessation interventions in Scotland
Prescribing of smoking cessation products show seasonal variation
Sharp increases in prescribing around the months of January, February and March may be due to New Year Resolutions, while the steady decline after March may be due to successfully quitting or else relapsing.
Prescribing of smoking cessation products show seasonal variation
Sharp increases in prescribing around the months of January, February and March may be due to New Year Resolutions, while the steady decline after March may be due to successfully quitting or else relapsing.
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NOTES:
It should be noted that the proportion of the population taking any of the drugs listed is purely an estimate, the actual patient base is unknown, Drugs indicated for the treatment of reheumatoid diseases or gout may used to treat other indications such as sport injuries and headaches. Data presented relate solely to those items prescribed in Scotland and dispensed in the community. Items sold 'over-the-counter' are not included in any of the reports.
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MAIN CONTACTS:
Margaret Conway
Principal Information Analyst
0141 282 2265
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing)
Margaret.Conway@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk
Principal Information Analyst
0141 282 2265
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing)
Margaret.Conway@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk
Chris Waugh
Senior Information Adviser
0131 275 6879
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing)
Chris.Waugh@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk
Senior Information Adviser
0131 275 6879
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing)
Chris.Waugh@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk
Mr Iain Bishop,
Principal Pharmacist - Prescribing
0131 275 6509
Healthcare Information Group
Iain.Bishop@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk
Principal Pharmacist - Prescribing
0131 275 6509
Healthcare Information Group
Iain.Bishop@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk
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GLOSSARY:
An item is an individual product prescribed by a doctor, nurse or pharmacist e.g., Aspirin 300mg tablets. A prescription can contain up to three items.
Gross ingredient cost is the cost of drugs, dressings or appliances before the deduction of any discount that the dispenser may received from supplier. It excludes any dispensing or fitting fees.
The British National Formulary (BNF) is a bi-annual publication produced jointly by the British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. The BNF aims to provide prescribers, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with sound up-to-date information on medicines and their use.
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PRE-RELEASE ACCESS TO THIS PUBLICATION WAS GIVEN TO:
The Scottish Executive
Chief Executives of each NHS Board
Chief Prescribing Advisers of each NHS Board
Chief Executives of each NHS Board
Chief Prescribing Advisers of each NHS Board
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HISTORY OF THIS PUBLICATION:
Last Published: 1 March 2006 (2 & 4 are new)
Next Due: March 2008
Data Available Since: March 2003 for antibiotic prescribing
Main contact: 
Jim Waldron
Jim Waldron
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