What is the Scotland Prescription Analysis page?

The Scotland Prescription Analysis page provides comprehensive analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in the community across NHS Scotland. It includes two aggregated datasets: (1) Data by Dispenser Location - items dispensed at dispenser location code level, excludes Schedule 2 & 3 controlled drugs; (2) Data by Prescriber Location - items dispensed at prescribing location code level for General Practice data. All items are described at British National Formulary (BNF) item description and Dictionary of Medicines & Devices (dm+d) level.

What data is included in the Scotland prescription analysis?

The analysis includes two datasets from NHS Scotland Prescriptions in the Community: (1) Data by Dispenser Location includes number of paid items, quantities dispensed, gross ingredient costs, BNF item codes and descriptions, DMD codes, Health Board territories (HBT), dispenser location codes, and prescribed types (excludes Schedule 2 & 3 controlled drugs); (2) Data by Prescriber Location includes similar data but organized by prescriber location code for GP practices, aggregated by NHS Board for other prescriber types.

How can I filter and analyze the prescription data?

You can filter the prescription data by year and month, aggregate by medication to see totals across all pharmacies, search by medication name or code, and view data by Health Board territory or dispenser location. The data can be sorted by number of items, quantity, or cost to identify trends and top medications.

What are BNF and DMD codes in the prescription data?

BNF (British National Formulary) codes classify medications by therapeutic use and chemical structure. DMD (Dictionary of Medicines and Devices) codes are unique identifiers for specific medicines and medical devices used in the NHS. Both codes help standardize medication identification and analysis across the healthcare system.

How often is the Scotland prescription data updated?

Scotland prescription data is published quarterly by NHS Scotland and may be up to 6 months behind the reporting period. This delay ensures accuracy and completeness of the payment and dispensing information. The available periods are displayed in the analysis interface.

What is the difference between Dispenser Location and Prescriber Location data?

Dispenser Location data shows where prescriptions were dispensed (at individual pharmacy/dispenser location code level) and excludes Schedule 2 & 3 controlled drugs. Prescriber Location data shows where prescriptions were issued (at prescribing location code level for GP practices, aggregated by NHS Board for other prescriber types). Both datasets include the same medication details (BNF codes, DMD codes, quantities, costs) but from different perspectives.

What is a dispenser location code in Scotland?

A dispenser location code is a unique identifier for each pharmacy location in Scotland that dispenses NHS prescriptions. The code allows tracking of prescriptions at the individual pharmacy level, enabling analysis of dispensing patterns, volumes, and costs for specific locations.

Can I view prescription data by Health Board in Scotland?

Yes, the prescription data includes Health Board Territory (HBT) information, allowing you to filter and analyze prescriptions by specific Health Board areas in Scotland. This helps identify regional medication usage patterns and healthcare trends across different parts of Scotland.

Scotland Prescription Analytics

Prescriptions in the Community - All Scotland

Name: NHS Scotland Prescriptions in the Community
Creator: NHS Scotland
License: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Comprehensive analysis of all prescriptions across NHS Scotland. View data by dispenser location (pharmacies) or prescriber location (GP practices). Explore detailed prescription data, medication usage trends, and cost analysis. Data excludes Schedule 2 & 3 controlled drugs.

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