This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Record number of antidepressants prescribed last year
New figures show that the NHS prescribed a record number of antidepressants last year.
The NHS Digital figures revealed that 64.7 million items of antidepressants were dispensed in England in 2016, 3.7 million more than the 61 million items dispensed during 2015.
The Prescriptions Dispensed in the Community 2006-2016 report, which presents a summary of prescription items dispensed in the community in England, highlights numbers, costs and changes between 2015 and 2016 and presents the main trends between 2006 and 2016 and within therapeutic areas, based on BNF classifications.
A total of 71.5 million items in the therapeutic area were dispensed, mainly to treat hypertension and heart failure, marking a rise of 49.7 per cent (23.7 million) from 2006.
In terms of drug costs, diabetes drugs cost the most for the tenth year in a row, costing £984.2 million, or £2.7 million per day. The cost for this therapeutic area increased by £47.6 million (5.1 per cent) from 2015 to 2016.
The report also found that 89.4 per cent of all prescription items were dispensed free of charge in 2016, 61 per cent of which were to patients aged 60 and over.
Commenting on the findings, Helen Stokes-Lampard, the chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “While at face value the rise might seem alarming, it could also be indicative of better identification and diagnosis of mental health conditions across healthcare, and reducing stigma associated with mental health in society, leading to more people with mental health conditions seeking medical assistance. Both would be positive steps forward as we strive for parity of esteem between physical and mental health.”
Latest News
16/02/2024 - 12:56
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has created a new alliance intended to clean dirty air and improve residents' health.
16/02/2024 - 10:44
Two million more GP appointments a month are being delivered for patients compared to the same month before the pandemic as part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan according to new NHS data.
15/02/2024 - 10:26
The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
15/02/2024 - 10:13
The new Scottish health secretary has met with frontline staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
14/02/2024 - 10:27
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has appointed three new Executive Directors to the Trust Board.
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
