Value of medicines issued in hospitals by drug, chemical, British National Formulary (BNF) chapter and year

Next update expected:September 2027

Updates

• 16th July 2026: Dataset first published.

Main information

• Designation: Official statistics in development
• Data provider: Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW)
• Data source: Welsh Hospital Pharmacy Stock Management System (WHPSMS)
• Time period covered: April 2024 to March 2026
• Dataset ID: 4531a3a4-93d4-4d88-b114-e2679a21f4ea

Overview

• Summary of dataset and variables:

  This dataset shows the value (£) of medicines issued in hospitals. The data is shown by drug (for example, IVACAFTOR 150 mg Tablets), chemical (for example, Ivacaftor), BNF chapter (for example Respiratory System) and year.

  The British National Formulary (BNF) is a pharmaceutical reference book containing information and advice on prescribing. Every item prescribed is categorized by its BNF chapter (for example, central nervous system). It also includes some medicines not included in the BNF, categorised separately.

• Data collection or calculation:

  Data on the cost of medicines purchased in Welsh hospitals complements primary care prescribing data and helps provide a fuller picture of prescribing in Wales. These are official statistics in development as this is the first time this source has been used for official statistics and quality assurance processes are in development.

  Hospital medicines data are sourced from pharmacy stock management systems and measure the cost of the medicines purchased by hospitals in Wales. The data includes medicines issued to patients and medicines held in stock during the reference period. Only values of issues are reported, as the publication of medicine volumes alongside values could disclose commercially sensitive information.

  The data is derived from the issue file, and values are calculated using the most recently recorded purchase price for each item. Where items have been invoiced, the value will reflect the latest invoiced price and any associated discounts. Where items have not yet been invoiced, the value will be based on the last recorded invoiced purchase price. Consequently, the data may not always represent the actual price paid for the specific issue and should be regarded as the best available estimate at the time of reporting.

  The data are based on the following issue types. Stock transfers and requisitioned items issue types are not included in this data.

  Issue type
  Inpatient
  Outpatient
  TTA
  Clinics
  Day case patients
  Day hospital patients
  Accident & Emergency
  Bulk Issues
  Stock adjustment via KADJ and KADJS
  Stock adjustment via KADJM
  Returns to supplier
  Use of raw materials in extemporaneous dispensing
  Issues via TRADE
  Issues due to MTA selling price change
  Use of raw materials in via UMAN
  Quarantine
  Use of raw materials in Aseptics
  Credit for stock return
  Returned goods out

• Statistical quality:

  The data is accurate as of 25 June 2026. Returns may still be generated for medicines issued during the financial year 2025 to 2026; this is unlikely, but it remains possible.

  The data is published as received and therefore some values are reported with a negative cost.

  The data is sourced at product level only. The associated ‘Chemical’ is derived by mapping each drug record to its corresponding Virtual Therapeutic Moiety (VTM), as defined in the NHS dictionary of medicines and devices (dm+d). Approximately 20% of records could not be mapped to a VTM and therefore have the ‘Chemical’ recorded as ‘Unknown’. This can happen because of the following reasons:

  • Items are not included in the dm+d (for example products that are not technically classified as drugs or devices)
  • Items that are included within dm+d but do not have an associated parent VTM
• Related reports:
  • Quality report
  • Statistical Release

Published by

• Organisation: Welsh Government
• Contact email: stats.healthinfo@gov.wales