2.7% rise in prescription drugs dispensed last year

Of these, 1m. were exempt from a prescription charge – an increase of 1% on 2021, according to the Prescribing Support Unit’s Annual Report, which was published today.

But there has been a rise in paid prescriptions of 5.7% on 2022.

‘Recent years have seen an increase in the number of paid prescription items being dispensed in 2021, 2022 and now in 2023 numbers rose by 5%, 6.6% and 5.7% respectively,’ the report stated.

Prescription charges paid by islanders amounted to £2.76m. – 15.8% more than in 2022.

But the gross basic drug cost was £19.4m., down just a fraction year on year.

Cardiovascular system prescriptions made up the most common items, with more than half a million written – up 1.6% on the previous year. But the cost rose by more than 6% to nearly £3m.

‘The main cost drivers were new cardiac TA drugs and fluctuating prices of generics,’ the reported said.

‘Use of the newer and more expensive direct oral anticoagulant or DOACs for conditions including atrial fibrillation, venous thrombi emboli (blood clots) and now in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, has stabilised somewhat after large increases in previous years.’

Gastrointestinal prescriptions had the largest increase in costs, with the total spend of £1.2m. up 22.9% on 2022.

‘Further analysis shows that this was because of significant increases in the costs and volume of some common generics, a 3.7% increase in GI prescriptions issued, and increased prescribing of expensive biologics,’ the report said.

For example the cost of anti-secretory drugs has increased from £125,000 in 2018 to over £578,000 in 2023.

There was a 7% increase in infection treatment prescriptions and a 11% increase in the cost.

Antibiotics are a big reason behind that price rise.

‘Island-wide antibiotic prescriptions were up by 8% and expenditure rose by 131%,’ the report said.

‘This was disappointing given the fact that for several years numbers had fallen. Upper respiratory infections were reported to be extremely common towards the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023.

‘There was heightened media attention regarding cases of strep A and well-publicised shortages of antibiotics in the early months of 2023. This may have led to an increase in demand and/or anticipatory prescribing. Inevitably drug companies increased the prices of their products in that period. But at the time of writing prices have stabilised.’