NHSBSA publishes latest prescribing costs report

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has released the latest report on Prescribing Costs in Hospitals and the Community for England in 2023/24.

The report provides a national view of prescribing costs, cost trends and prescribing habits. It provides financial breakdowns across a range of factors, such as time periods, setting or drug groups down to British National Formulary (BNF) chapter or section.

The report shows that for 2023/24 there was a 7% increase in the total cost to NHS commissioners in England, before central rebates, for the issue of medicines, appliances, and medical devices. The total cost is estimated to be £20.6 billion, up from £19.2 billion in 2022/23.

Other key findings for 2023/24 from the report include:

• £10.1 billion (49.1%) of total expenditure for medicines prescribed in primary care and dispensed in the community
• £10.3 billion for medicines issued in hospitals
• £98.4 million for medicines prescribed in hospitals and dispensed in the community
• £32.8 million for medicines prescribed by dentists and dispensed in the community
• £26.8 million for medicines prescribed and dispensed in the Adult Secure Estate

Definitions of the cost terms used can be found in section of the statistical summary narrative published in this release.

To read the full statistics report, go to: Prescribing Costs in Hospitals and the Community - England 2023-24 | NHSBSA