Request

‘I would like to make a Freedom of Information request for FP34PCD prescribing data for private prescriptions for ADHD and CNS drugs for every month between January 2015 and June 2024.

Please can you send a csv with the following data: • Prescribing period (month and year) • ICB name and code • BNF presentation and code • Number of items • Number of patients

If it is also possible to have the data broken down by: • 5 year age group • Gender’

[On 15 July 2024 we sent you the following clarification request]

‘We do not hold any patient level data regarding private control drugs therefore, we would only be able to answer the first four bullet points. Can you please confirm if you would like us to proceed with your request on this basis?

If you would like us to proceed, can you please confirm what you specifically require regarding the BNF for ADHD and CNS drugs?

The current BNF version can be found via the ISP and is linked below (login as guest). If you are unfamiliar with the BNF structure, we would suggest BNF section 0404 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD, which fall under chapter 04 Central Nervous System.

https://applications.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/infosystems/data/showDataSelector.do?reportId=126

Also, can you please clarify if you require drugs/appliances prescribed in the UK, regardless of where dispensed?’

[On 15 July 2024 you clarified your request as follows]

‘Yes, I would like you to proceed on the basis of only answering the first four bullet points.

I am interested in all drugs that come under section 0404 CNS stimulants and drugs used for ADHD. Does that answer your question?

Yes, I am interested in drugs prescribed in England and dispensed in the UK’

Response

I can confirm that the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) holds the information you have requested, and a copy of the information is attached.

Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.

NHS Prescription Services process prescriptions for Pharmacy Contractors, Appliance Contractors, Dispensing Doctors and Personal Administration with information then used to make payments to pharmacists and appliance contractors in England for prescriptions dispensed in primary care settings (other arrangements are in place for making payments to Dispensing Doctors and Personal Administration). This involves processing over one billion prescription items and payments totalling over £9 billion each year. The information gathered from this process is then used to provide information on costs and trends in prescribing in England and Wales to over 25,000 registered NHS and Department of Health and Social Care users. Data Source

Data in ePACT2 is sourced from the NHSBSA Information Services Data Warehouse and is derived from products prescribed on prescriptions and dispensed in the Community. The data captured from prescription processing is used to calculate reimbursement and remuneration. It includes items prescribed in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Guernsey / Alderney, Jersey and Isle of Man which have been dispensed in the community in England. English prescribing that has been dispensed in Wales, Scotland, Guernsey / Alderney, Jersey and Isle of Man is also included.

The data excludes:

• items not dispensed, disallowed and those returned to the contractor for further clarification. • prescriptions prescribed and dispensed in prisons, hospitals and private prescriptions. • items prescribed but not presented for dispensing or not submitted to NHS Prescription Services by the dispenser.

Dataset This dataset shows number of items per presentation for private prescriptions of Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulants and drugs used for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The chemical substance and code have been included for information. Time Period

January 2015 to May 2024 (latest month available).

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you have requested for June 2024 is not yet held by the NHSBSA.

Organisation Data

Data for private unlicensed prescriptions is limited to prescriptions prescribed in England and dispensed in the community. Prescribing ICB (Integrated Care Board) is also indicated.

A date with the letter 'C' in brackets - example (C 01-Apr-20) next to an ICB indicates that this organisation is closed or will close as of the date stated.

British National Formulary (BNF) Code

The BNF Code is a 15-digit code in which the first seven digits are allocated according to the categories in the BNF. The last eight digits represent the medicinal product, form, strength and the link to the generic equivalent product. NHS Prescription Services has created pseudo BNF chapters, which are not published, for items not included in BNF chapters 1 to 15. Most of these items are dressings and appliances which NHS Prescription Services has classified into four pseudo BNF chapters (20 to 23).

Items

This shows the number of times a product appears on a prescription form not the quantity prescribed.

Publishing this response

Please note that this information will be published on our Freedom of Information disclosure log at:

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/foi-02082