STAR-PUs were developed with the intended purpose of enabling adjustment to the cost-based medicines dispensed (prescribing) data to account for the demographic variables; age, sex and temporary resident status. However, changes in prescribing behaviour and trends, alongside demographics, over time, necessitate that this weighting is refreshed to ensure that it remains accurate.
The RDTC have calculated updated antibiotic ‘specific therapeutic group age-sex related prescribing units’ (STAR-PUs) as both cost and item-based weightings for England. This bulletin describes the methodology and revised oral antibiotic STAR-PU weightings