Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) - Calendar Year 2021

The financial year or calendar year the data relates to. In the format YYYY/YYYY for financial year or YYYY for calendar year.

The name given to a geographical region by NHS England. Each region supports local systems to provide more joined up and care for patients.

The unique code used to refer to a Regional Office.

The name given to a geographical area by NHS England that is a smaller division of a Region.

The unique code used to refer to an STP.

The unique code used to refer to a BNF Presentation. For example, 0501013B0AAABAB.

The name given to the specific type, strength, and formulation of a drug. Or the specific type of an appliance. For example, Amoxicillin 500mg capsules.

SNOMED CT (Systemised Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms) is a clinical vocabulary readable by computers. The SNOMED code contained within the data is a unique identifier for each Medicinal Product (both VMP and AMP level). The identifier will not be re-used and or allocated to another presentation.

The manufacturer, supplier, or wholesaler of the AMP. For example, Teva UK Ltd.

The pharmaceutical form or unit that is used to measure a single unit of quantity of the given presentation. For example, tablet.

The unique code used to refer to the generic equivalent of the BNF Presentation.

The name given to the generic equivalent BNF Presentation.

A unique code used to refer to a BNF Chemical Substance. For example, 0501013B0.

The name of the main active ingredient in a drug or the type of an appliance. Determined by the British National Formulary (BNF) for drugs, or the NHS BSA for appliances. For example, Amoxicillin.

The unique code used to refer to the British National Formulary (BNF) paragraph.

The name given to the British National Formulary (BNF) paragraph. This level of grouping of the BNF Therapeutical classification system sits below BNF section.

The unique code used to refer to the British National Formulary (BNF) section.

The name given to a British National Formulary (BNF) section. This is the next broadest grouping of the BNF therapeutical classification system after chapter.

The unique code used to refer to the British National Formulary (BNF) chapter.

The name given to a British National Formulary (BNF) chapter. This is the broadest grouping of the BNF therapeutical classification system.

The NHSBSA specifies and maintains the preparation classes of drugs, appliances, and medical devices to more easily distinguish between generic, proprietary, and appliance products.

The preparation class of the prescribed presentation. Can be used to determine if an item was prescribed generically.

The number of times a product appears on a prescription form. Prescription forms include both paper prescriptions and electronic messages.

The total quantity of a drug or appliance that was prescribed. This is calculated by multiplying the prescribed Quantity by Items. For example, if 2 items of Amoxicillin 500mg capsules with a Quantity of 28 were prescribed, Total Quantity will be 56.

In British Pounds Sterling (GBP). The amount that would be paid using the basic price of the prescribed drug or appliance and the quantity prescribed. Sometimes called the "Net Ingredient Cost" (NIC). The basic price is given either in the Drug Tariff or is determined from prices published by manufacturers, wholesalers or suppliers. Basic price is set out in Parts VIII and IX of the Drug Tariff. For any drugs or appliances not in Part VIII, the price is usually taken from the manufacturer, wholesaler or supplier of the product.

The average cost per item for a presentation. Calculated by dividing NIC by ITEMS.

The average cost per quantity, or unit cost, for a presentation. Calculated by dividing NIC by TOTAL_QUANTITY.

The average quantity per item for a presentation. Calculated by dividing TOTAL_QUANTITY by ITEMS.