According to statistics published in August, for the first time diabetes medicines account for one tenth of all prescribing in primary care. In 2014/15 the Net Ingredient Cost (NIC)4 for managing diabetes was £868.6 million according to the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) representing 10% of the total primary care prescribing spend in 2014/15 (£8,704.9 million), compared with 9.5% in 2013/14 and 6.6% in 2005/06.
The report, Prescribing for diabetes in England, shows trends for diabetes medicines prescribed in primary care in England during the period April 2005 to March 2015. Specifically, types of diabetes 6.7 million insulin items were prescribed (£334.7 million), accounting for 14% of all items prescribed for diabetes, a 3% increase on 2013/14 (6.5 million items) and a 41% (1.9 million item) increase on 2005/06 (4.7 million items).
Responsible statistician for the report, Ian Bullard said: “Today’s report looks at trends in prescribing for medicines used to treat diabetes in England. It shows that ten pence in the pound of the primary care prescribing bill in England is being spent on managing diabetes. Diabetes continues to be one of the most prevalent long term conditions, and the number of patients being diagnosed with the condition is increasing each year.”
For all that these are big numbers the point would be that the right types and levels of medication are being given to people who need them.
You can find the full report HERE.
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