NHS prescriptions volume

IBISWorld estimates that the number of prescriptions dispensed in the United Kingdom will rise at a compound annual rate of 4.3% to just under 1.5 billion items over the five years through 2025-26. The volume of NHS prescriptions has grown annually over most of the five-year period. The country split has remained relatively constant over the period, with an estimated 83% of prescriptions dispensed in England, 7.8% in Scotland, 6% in Wales and 3.2% in Northern Ireland. The price of prescriptions has risen gradually in England, from £8.40 in 2016-17 to £9.90 in 2025-26. However, around 90% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge due to exemptions for people on low incomes, children and over 60s. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland not charged for prescriptions since 2007-08, 2011-12 and 2010-11, respectively.

Prescription volumes over the past five years has been driven by an ageing population, as healthcare needs tend to rise towards the latter stages of their life. Elderly people have lower resistance to illness and are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions which require a long-term prescription. Furthermore, the continual increase in the number of treatable conditions with the help of medical breakthroughs has contributed to the increase in prescription volumes. Other reasons behind the rise include improvements in making diagnoses and better care for some patients. The number of items prescribed decreased by 12.3% in 2020-21, due to the effects of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This is due to the number of GP appointment and hospital visits declining significantly over the year, reducing the number of non-repeat prescriptions. However, this created a health care backlog and the pent-up demand for health services which result in substantial increase of prescriptions in 2021-22. In the current year, the number of prescriptions is expected to continue growing, at a rate of 1.0%.