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English Prescribing Dataset (EPD)

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Community Prescribing & Dispensing

Datasets on the prescribing and dispensing of medicines in the community read full version of description

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Open Government Licence 3.0 (United Kingdom) [Open Data]

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English Prescribing Dataset (EPD)

Important: Coming Soon: Transition to the English Prescribing Dataset (EPD) with SNOMED CT Codes

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is preparing to transition to the English Prescribing Dataset (EPD), with Systematised Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) codes as the primary dataset.

To ensure a smooth transition, both versions will be available for three months following the initial publication—currently expected in May 2025 (subject to change). After this period, only the EPD with SNOMED CT codes will be published.

We will also be addressing several data issues:

  • YEAR_MONTH will be updated to be ISO-compliant
  • ICB_NAME will no longer be truncated
  • PCO_NAME will retain its code at the end but will no longer be truncated
  • NIC values will be provided to 2 decimal places
  • ACTUAL_COST values will be provided to 5 decimal places
  • ADQUSAGE values will be provided to 5 decimal places
  • ADQUSAGE will be renamed ADQ_USAGE

This dataset contains information on prescriptions issued in England that have been dispensed in England, Wales, Scotland, Guernsey, Alderney, Jersey, and the Isle of Man.

The dataset combines elements of the Detailed Prescribing Information (DPI) data previously released by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) via the Information Services Portal, and the Practice Level Prescribing in England (PLP) data released by NHS Digital via their website. It is intended to replace both of those sources.

These datasets have been brought together to provide end users with a single comprehensive, consistent and accessible source of prescribing information.

Find out more about this data in the guidance document:

English Prescribing Dataset guidance document (ODT): 233KB

English Prescribing Dataset guidance document (PDF):238KB

Caveats

Information:

Exclusion of Medicines Supplied Under Patient Group Directions (PGDs)

The EPD dataset does not capture any medicines that are supplied under PGDs, ( structured protocols allowing specific healthcare professionals (like pharmacists) to supply or administer medicines without a prescription). Services operating under PGDs that are excluded from EPD:

  • Pharmacy First Clinical Pathways (PFCP) – e.g. treatments for minor ailments
  • Contraception services
  • Smoking cessation support
  • Urgent medicines supply
  • Seasonal flu vaccinations

These services are tracked separately. For more insights into these areas:

Information:

Exclusion of Dental Prescribing

Prescriptions issued by dentists and dispensed in the community are not included in the EPD dataset.

Information:

Hospital Prescribing: Site Code vs. Cost Centre

There is a distinction in hospital prescribing data included in EPD:

  • Excluded: Items prescribed using Hospital Site codes and dispensed in the community
  • Included: Items prescribed using Hospital Cost Centre codes, even if dispensed in the community

This means that although both may represent hospital-originated prescriptions, only those tied to cost centres are within EPD scope. For further analysis of Hospital Site code prescribing, refer to the Hospital Prescribing Dispensed in the Community Dataset, which excludes Hospital Cost Centre data to avoid duplication.

Notices

28 May 2024:

We've updated our prescription data reports to reflect the recent changes to the discount deduction applied to pharmacy contractors monthly total of reimbursement prices, listed in the Drug Tariff Part V.

For data from April 2024 (published in June) any financial report referencing actual cost includes discounts calculated according to the new methodology.

You can find more details in this article: Changes to Actual Cost reporting calculation (Pharmacy only)

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Source NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) Data warehouse
Contact NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA)
Version v001
State active
Last Updated April 17, 2025, 1:53 PM (UTC+00:00)
Created March 31, 2020, 10:07 PM (UTC+00:00)