Prescribing

Statistical Publication Notice

25 March 2008

Update of prescribing statistics, looking at drugs indicated for the treatment of obesity and drugs used in rheumatic diseases and gout

INTRODUCTION

The prescribing in Scotland of medicines indicated for the treatment of obesity, rheumatic diseases and gout in Scotland. Statistics are presented for 2006/07 and include the number of prescribed items, gross ingredient cost and the number of defined daily doses. Data by NHS board and annual trends are also shown.

KEY POINTS

1. Drugs indicated for the treatment of obesity (BNF 4.5)

Three drugs are indicated for the treatment of obesity ? sibutramine and rimonabant, appetite suppressants, and orlistat, which acts on the gastro-intestinal tract, inhibiting the absorption of dietary fat.
A total of 104,274 items (75,039 for orlistat, 26,871 for sibutramine, and 2,364 for rimonabant) were prescribed in Scotland during 2006/07, an increase of 14,404 prescriptions over the previous financial year.
Prescribing of orlistat continues to grow at a faster rate, 14.9% in 2006/07 over the previous year, compared to sibutramine at 9.4%.

2. Drugs indicated for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and gout (BNF 10.1).

A total of 2.47 million items were prescribed in Scotland during 2006/07, a decrease of 84,870 (3.3 %) from the previous year. Main reasons for the fall are the withdrawal of two cyclo-oxygenase -2 inhibitors (COX II) drugs, prescribing restrictions on other drugs in the group and a fall in the prescribing of some other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs.
The gross ingredient cost of drugs within BNF 10.1 has risen slightly from £21.78 million in 2005/06 to £21.85 million in 2006/07, the first rise in cost observed since 2003/04.

INTERPRETATION

It should be noted that the proportion of the population taking any of the drugs listed is purely an estimate, the actual patient numbers are 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.

Update of prescribing statistics, looking at drugs indicated for the treatment of obesity and drugs used in rheumatic diseases and gout.

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MAIN CONTACTS:

Victoria Hepworth
Information Analyst
0131 275 6225
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing Team)
Victoria.Hepworth@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

Joanne Collins
Senior Information Analyst
0131 275 6760
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing Team)
joanne.collins@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

Margaret Conway
Principal Information Analyst
0141 282 2265
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing Team)
Margaret.Conway@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

Sharon Kennedy
Information Analyst
0141 282 2318
Healthcare Information Group (Prescribing Team)
sharon.kennedy@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

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GLOSSARY:

An item is an individual product prescribed on a prescription, normally by a doctor or, nurse, for example an item could be 100 tablets of aspirin 300mg. A prescription can contain up to three items.

Gross ingredient cost is the NHS reimbursement cost of drugs, dressings or appliances before the deduction of any discount. 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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