Mean and median cost per item prescribed through general practices
See what variables and values are shown in your table
| Variable | Visibility | Selected values | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Shown in table | All 25 values | Change values |
| Data description | Shown in table | All 4 values | Change values |
Table
Standard shorthand is used in this table: [a] = average.
| Data values | Data description | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 455,598,953.40 | Net ingredient cost (NIC) | 2001-02 |
| 46,022,611 | Number of items prescribed | 2001-02 |
| 9.90 [a] | Mean cost per item (£) | 2001-02 |
| 4.07 [a] | Median cost per item (£) | 2001-02 |
| 509,022,519.60 | Net ingredient cost (NIC) | 2002-03 |
| 48,751,679 | Number of items prescribed | 2002-03 |
| 10.44 [a] | Mean cost per item (£) | 2002-03 |
| 4.22 [a] | Median cost per item (£) | 2002-03 |
| 550,126,194.20 | Net ingredient cost (NIC) | 2003-04 |
| 51,268,510 | Number of items prescribed | 2003-04 |
| 10.73 [a] | Mean cost per item (£) | 2003-04 |
| 4.34 [a] | Median cost per item (£) | 2003-04 |
| 576,877,157.30 | Net ingredient cost (NIC) | 2004-05 |
| 53,927,683 | Number of items prescribed | 2004-05 |
| 10.70 [a] | Mean cost per item (£) | 2004-05 |
| 4.20 [a] | Median cost per item (£) | 2004-05 |
| 563,196,519.80 | Net ingredient cost (NIC) | 2005-06 |
| 57,034,980 | Number of items prescribed | 2005-06 |
| 9.87 [a] | Mean cost per item (£) | 2005-06 |
| 3.84 [a] | Median cost per item (£) | 2005-06 |
| 578,819,614.00 | Net ingredient cost (NIC) | 2006-07 |
| 59,078,568 | Number of items prescribed | 2006-07 |
| 9.80 [a] | Mean cost per item (£) | 2006-07 |
| 3.70 [a] | Median cost per item (£) | 2006-07 |
| 584,414,613.80 | Net ingredient cost (NIC) | 2007-08 |
Next update expected:September 2027
Updates
- 16th July 2026
This update includes the publication of data for the financial year April 2025 to March 2026
- 2nd October 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
- 9ab0f61e-b44d-48bd-beba-eb00499a2220
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.
Mean cost per item is calculated by dividing the net ingredient cost for all items prescribed in the financial year by the number of items prescribed in the financial year.
Median cost per item, refers to middle value of the cost per item prescribed in the March of each year only.
Data for a single month is used to calculate the median for practical purposes given the volume of prescription items issued. The median may vary for other months during the year.
A relatively low number of high cost items prescribed will have a greater impact on the mean than the median. The median measure is likely to be a better reflection of the cost of the most commonly prescribed items.
- 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 for detailed notes, background and definitions.
- Related reports
Published by
- Organisation
- Welsh Government
- Contact email
- stats.healthinfo@gov.wales