Prescription items and costs by measure (general practice prescriptions, and items dispensed in the community) by BNF chapter

See what variables and values are shown in your table

Variable	Visibility	Selected values	Action
Data description	Shown in table	All 4 values	Change values
Year	Shown in table	All 24 values	Change values
Chapter	Shown in table	All 22 values	Change values

Table

Data values	Data description	Year	Chapter
3,643,202	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Gastro-Intestinal System
12,197,224	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Cardiovascular System
3,846,731	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Respiratory System
9,579,548	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Central Nervous System
2,617,117	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Infections
3,319,306	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Endocrine System
912,466	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Obstetrics,Gynae+Urinary Tract Disorders
263,108	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Malignant Disease & Immunosuppression
1,311,392	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Nutrition And Blood
2,188,131	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Musculoskeletal & Joint Diseases
1,006,307	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Eye
618,377	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Ear, Nose And Oropharynx
2,415,501	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Skin
688,495	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Immunological Products & Vaccines
50,949	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Anaesthesia
6	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Preparations used in Diagnosis
61,484	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Other Drugs And Preparations
789,050	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Dressings
331,052	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Appliances
61,895	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Incontinence Appliances
121,270	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	Stoma Appliances
46,022,611	Items prescribed by GPs	2001-02	All items
3,810,653	Items prescribed by GPs	2002-03	Gastro-Intestinal System
13,719,084	Items prescribed by GPs	2002-03	Cardiovascular System
3,897,846	Items prescribed by GPs	2002-03	Respiratory System

Showing 1 to 25 of 2,064 rows

Page 1 of 83

Metadata

The metadata for this dataset is not included when you download the data. You can download this separately. This contains all the information from the 'About this dataset' tab.

Next update expected:September 2026

Updates

• 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 2025

Overview

• Summary of dataset and variables:

  '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. 'Items prescribed by GPs' counts the items prescribed by any Welsh general practice staff member, qualified to prescribe, which are subsequently dispensed in the community in the UK. This is the primary measure of prescribing in Wales because this data shows what is being prescribed to people registered with Welsh general practices and this activity is monitored and influenced by health board policy. 'Items dispensed in the community' counts items prescribed anywhere in the UK, which are subsequently dispensed in the community in Wales. This measure should be used when users are interested only in the items actually dispensed in Wales, and if direct comparisons are being made between different UK countries

• 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:
  • Statistical Release

Published by

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