Additional Info

Field Value
Data last updated 29 January 2026
Metadata last updated 29 January 2026
Created 29 January 2026
Format text/csv
Licence Open Government Licence 3.0 (United Kingdom)

Data Dictionary

Column Title Type Description
BNF_PRESENTATION_CODE BNF Code string The BNF Code is a 15-digit code in which the first seven digits are allocated according to the categories in the BNF and the last 8 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. The majority of such items are dressings and appliances which NHS Prescription Services has classified into four pseudo BNF chapters (20 to 23).
BNF_PRESENTATION_NAME BNF Presentation Description string The individual preparation name of the drug, which may be proprietary or generic, followed by strength and form.
IDENTIFIED_PATIENT_COUNT Identified Patient Count number A count of identified patients whose NHS Number was recorded during prescription processing, where each patient is counted once per row in which they appear, regardless of the number of prescriptions matching these criteria.
NUMBER_OF_PRESCRIPTION_ITEMS Number of prescription items number This is the number of prescriptions received by the patient for the specific presentation across the whole time period.
ITEM_COUNT Items number Items shows the number of times a product appears on a prescription form not the quantity prescribed.
NIC_GBP Net Ingredient Cost (NIC (£)) number Net Ingredient cost (NIC) is the basic price of a drug as stated in Part II Clause 8 of the Drug Tariff but please note that where a price concession for items listed in Part VIII of the Drug Tariff has been agreed between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee the NIC will reflect the concession price rather than the Drug Tariff price. NIC is given in Pounds Sterling.
TOTAL_QUANTITY Total Quantity number Total quantity is the number of items multiplied by the quantity prescribed. e.g. 2 items prescribed, one with a quantity of 2 and one with a quantity of 3, the total quantity would show as 5 (1 item x quantity of 2) + (1 item x quantity of 3)