Sharp increase in NHS diabetes prescribing costs
pharmafile | August 25, 2011 | News story | Sales and Marketing | GP prescribing, NHS, diabetes, prescribing
NHS prescribing for diabetes has risen sharply, largely driven by the disease’s growing prevalence in the UK.
Spending rose 41% over the last five years to reach £725 million in 2010/11, according to the NHS Information Centre, which said one in every 25 prescription items written is now for diabetes.
The Centre’s chief executive Tim Straughan said: “Today’s report paints a picture of an ever–increasing drugs bill to cope with the demands of society triggered by diabetes. The portion of the NHS drugs bill accounted for by diabetes drugs continues to rise and is now at 8.4 per cent.
“This information will help people and health professionals see the impact that caring for diabetes has on NHS prescribing; and support the NHS in planning for how to best address the condition moving forward.”
The prevalence of diabetes in England, measured by the number of people on the diabetes register in the Quality and Outcomes Framework, increased from 3.6% in 2005/6 to 4.3% in 2009/10.
Bridget Turner, head of policy and care improvement at Diabetes UK, said: “This report reinforces that diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges this country faces. Increasing diabetes prevalence has largely caused this rise in cost and numbers of prescriptions.
“Diabetes UK believes that people should have access to the most appropriate treatment to manage their diabetes and reduce the risk of devastating complications. The long term costs of poor diabetes management such as caring for someone who’s had a heart attack or stroke, lost their sight or lower limb, far outweigh those of the drugs that help prevent such complications.”
Investment in education, support and improving access to reduce variations of care will empower people to effectively self-manage their condition, she added.
The NHS Information Centre’s report looked at drug groups within GP prescribing reference book the BNF and found the section covering diabetes drugs not only carried the highest cost, but had also seen the biggest annual rise in cost since 2009/10.
In 2010/11 there were 38.3 million items prescribed for diabetes at a net ingredient cost of £725.1 million.
Prescribing for diabetes accounted for 4.1% of items and 8.4% of the total cost of prescribing in 2010/11, compared with 3.7% and 6.6% in 2005/6.
Dominic Tyer
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