Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) - Jan 2024

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Additional Info

Field Value
Data last updated March 19, 2024
Metadata last updated March 19, 2024
Created March 19, 2024
Format CSV
License Open Government Licence 3.0 (United Kingdom)

Data Dictionary

Column Title Type Description
YEAR_MONTH Year and Month as YYYYMM number

Example: 201401

REGION_NAME Regional Office Name string

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

REGION_CODE Regional Office Code string

The unique code used to refer to a Regional Office.

ICB_NAME Integrated Care Board (ICB) Name string

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

ICB_CODE Integrated Care Board (ICB) Code string

The unique code used to refer to an ICB.

DISPENSER_ACCOUNT_TYPE Type of English dispensing contractor string

Categorises the type of English dispensing contractor.

BNF_PRESENTATION_CODE British National Formulary (BNF) Code string

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

BNF_PRESENTATION_NAME British National Formulary (BNF) Name string

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_CODE Presentation SNOMED Code string

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.

SUPPLIER_NAME Supplier Name string

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

UNIT_OF_MEASURE Unit of Measure string

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

GENERIC_BNF_EQUIVALENT_CODE Generic Equivalent BNF Code string

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

GENERIC_BNF_EQUIVALENT_NAME Generic Equivalent BNF Name string

The name given to the generic equivalent BNF Presentation.

BNF_CHEMICAL_SUBSTANCE_CODE BNF Chemical Substance Code string

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

BNF_CHEMICAL_SUBSTANCE BNF Chemical Substance Name string

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 NHSBSA for appliances. For example, Amoxicillin.

BNF_PARAGRAPH_CODE BNF Paragraph Code string

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

BNF_PARAGRAPH BNF Paragraph Name string

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

BNF_SECTION_CODE BNF Section Code string

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

BNF_SECTION BNF Section Name string

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

BNF_CHAPTER_CODE BNF Chapter Code string

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

BNF_CHAPTER BNF Chapter Name string

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

PREP_CLASS Preparation Class string

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

PRESCRIBED_PREP_CLASS Prescribed Preparation Class string

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

ITEMS Items number

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

TOTAL_QUANTITY Total Quantity number

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.

NIC Net Ingredient Cost (NIC) number

In British Pounds Sterling (GBP). The amount paid using the basic price of the drug, appliance or medical device as stated in Part II Clause 8 of the Drug Tariff