Items prescribed through general practices by BNF chapter and health board

This dataset has been archived. View the replacement dataset.

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Next update expected:This dataset is not expected to be updated or replaced in the future

Updates

16th July 2026

This dataset has been archived due to data being available in ‘Prescription items and cost by area, GP cluster, BNF chapter and year’. Small variations in the number of prescriptions by health board may be present between the two datasets, as this cube includes a small number of prescriptions that we cannot confidently map to a health board, but were previously mapped.

6th October 2025
30th September 2025
Dataset first published.

Main information

Designation
Official statistics
Data provider
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
Data source
Prescribing Services
Time period covered
April 2001 to March 2026
Dataset ID
49c297c3-43ab-4708-bf1b-531b32386069

Overview

Summary of dataset and variables

This dataset is based on items prescribed by any Welsh general practice staff member, qualified to prescribe, which are subsequently dispensed in the community in the UK.

'Items’ refer to each different medicine or appliance listed on a prescription regardless of quantity or volume. Only items which are dispensed are counted.

Net ingredient cost, measured in pounds sterling, is the underlying cost of the item, before any additional fees (for example, dispensing fees to pharmacies) or discounts (NHS clawbacks) are applied.

General practice registered population is used for population measures, as the items prescribed are prescribed to the general practice population rather than the overall population of Wales. These two measures are similar but some Welsh residents are registered to English general practices and vice versa.

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), section (for example, analgesics); sub-paragraph (for example, non-opioid analgesics and compound preparations) and chemical name (for example, paracetamol).

Small variations in the number of prescriptions by health board may be present between this dataset and 'Prescription items and cost by area, GP cluster, BNF chapter and year', as this cube's health board totals include a small number of prescriptions that we cannot confidently map to a health board, but were previously mapped.

The number of items prescribed, and their associated costs are based on the financial year recorded which may in a select number of cases be different than the year written.

From 1 April 2019 Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and Cwm Taf health boards ceased and were replaced with Swansea Bay and Cwm Taf Morgannwg health boards.

Data collection or calculation

Prescriptions data are obtained from Prescribing Services, NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and are based on information on prescription forms sent by the prescriber for payment.

Statistical quality

See associated statistical release and quality report for detailed notes, background and definitions.

Related reports

Published by

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