NHSBSA report shows cost decrease for dependency-forming medicines

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has released the latest quarterly summary statistics for dependency-forming medicines, indicating a decrease in cost of dependency-forming medicines. 

The statistics provide information on the prescribing of dependency-forming medicines in England. It includes data on five categories of medicines such as Opioid pain medicine, Gabapentinoids, Benzodiazepines, and Z-drugs. Some analysis covers antidepressants.

The key findings from the statistics for quarter two of 2024/25 show that:

• There were 16.8 million items for dependency-forming medicines prescribed, a 0.26% increase year-on-year from quarter two 2023/24.
• The cost of dependency-forming medicines prescribed was £93.5 million. This was a 1.02% decrease from quarter two 2023/24 when the cost was £94.5 million.
• Opioid drugs were the most prescribed dependency-forming medicines with 9.85 million items at a cost of £69.4 million.
• There were 4.40 million identified patients that were prescribed dependency-forming medicines. This was a 0.76% decrease from 4.43 million identified patients compared to the previous year.
• The most common group to be prescribed dependency-forming medicines was female patients aged 60 to 64 with 287,000 identified patients.
• Areas of greater deprivation had the highest number of identified patients who were being prescribed dependency-forming medication. 79.3% more patients received prescribing in the most deprived areas of the country compared to those in the least deprived.

To access the full statistics, visit: Dependency Forming Medicines – England – Quarterly summary statistics | NHSBSA