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
The English Prescribing Data set contains detailed information on prescriptions issued in England that have been dispensed in England, Wales, Scotland, Guernsey, Alderney, Jersey, and the Isle of Man. This experimental version of the data contains an additional column - SNOMED Code.
We are releasing this as an experimental data set initially to allow users to provide us with feedback on its use and utility and to allow you to make any amendments that are needed to your own systems before we implement these changes in the live version of the data. You can provide us with feedback by completing the online form or by emailing DataServicesSupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This data set will be updated each month and then merged with the existing EPD in the future once we are confident it meets our user's needs.
The inclusion of SNOMED Code within the data means that it is now at a more granular level and the data files are larger than they were before. We estimate that each monthly release will now increase in size by approximately 1.25 million rows and 200MB in file size. You can read more about the changes we have made in the provided guidance document.
English Prescribing Dataset (EPD) Guidance (ODT: 236KB)
English Prescribing Dataset (EPD) Guidance (PDF: 249KB)
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)
![[Open Data]](/base/images/od_80x15_blue.png)