The number of prescription items dispensed in the community has soared by almost 60 per cent in the last 10 years, new Government data has revealed. Figures released this month by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show that over 1.03 billion items were prescribed in 2013, compared with 649.7 million in 2003 – a 58.5 per cent increase. Annual prescribing rates topped the one billion mark for the first time back in 2012, and the latest figures show that they have continued to grow by a further three per cent (29.6 million) over the last year. 

However, the overall net ingredient cost (NIC) of these items has only increased by 14.8 per cent in a decade, rising from £7.51 billion in 2003 to £8.63 billion last year. Ninety per cent of prescriptions were dispensed free of charge, and people aged over 60 accounted for almost 60 per cent of free prescriptions. HSCIC chair Kingsley Manning commented that the findings would “help the NHS to understand the provision required for the aging population in England”.