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NHS Medicines Optimisation Opportunities Dashboard 2023-24
At the end of July 2023 NHSE published guidance titled “National medicines optimisation opportunities 2023/24”. This guidance describes the 16 national medicines optimisation opportunities for the NHS in 2023/24, and signposts to resources to help with their implementation. It recommends Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) choose at least five medicines optimisation opportunities to focus and deliver […]
Cost Comparison Charts
Overview The charts included within this report are organised by BNF classification (legacy) and show comparative costs at the NHS basic price1,2 (as of October 2023) for selected agents. Except where indicated otherwise, each chart shows the cost of 1 year3 of treatment at a commonly prescribed daily dose (shown in brackets). The doses given […]
Price Concessionary Bulletin
The purpose of this bulletin is to present the predicted cost impact of drug price changes, both through the Price Concessions list and also monthly drug tariff (DT) cost variations. The data is calculated by matching the ePACT2 prescribing data for the latest month available to the current prices listed in the NHSBSA Drug Tariff […]
Budget impact of paracetamol 250mg/5ml oral suspension
The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the increase in cost of paracetamol 250mg/5ml oral suspensions since May 2022. It considers the potential savings that could be achieved through cost-effective paracetamol suspension prescribing across the ICSs in the North East & Yorkshire region and Greater Manchester.
Budget impact of emollient bath and shower preparations
The purpose of this bulletin is to promote cost effective prescribing by highlighting the lack of evidence on the efficacy of emollient bath and shower preparations for the management of atopic eczema, in line with updated NICE guidance. It considers the potential savings that could be achieved with reduced prescribing of these products across the […]
Budget impact of acetylcysteine vs carbocisteine
The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the difference in cost between acetylcysteine and carbocisteine when used as mucolytics, and to raise awareness of savings which could be achieved within ICBs. The bulletin considers the potential budget impact to primary care prescribing budgets based on current prescribing of carbocisteine across the ICSs in the […]
Budget impact of promethazine prescribing
The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the rapid NHS price increase of promethazine hydrochloride tablets since July 2022, and to raise awareness of the impact the price increase is having on ICB prescribing budgets. Potential alternative options are outlined, to reduce prescribing costs. The bulletin considers the potential budget impact to primary care […]
Drug Tariff Monitor
The purpose of this report is to present the predicted cost impact of category A, M and C drug tariff PartVIIIA price changes on primary care spending. The data is calculated by matching the ePACT2 prescribing data for the latest month available to the current prices listed in the NHSBSA Drug Tariff PartVIIIA. An adjustment […]
Budget impact of methylphenidate modified release tablet choice
The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the difference in cost between bioequivalent methylphenidate modified release (MR) tablets. It considers the budget impact of MR tablet choice and shows the yearly primary care spend on all methylphenidate XL tablets, and the proportion of this spend on each of the available brands.
Growth Contrast Tool
Overview The growth contrast tool is intended to help ICBs identify important local effects on prescribing costs. The figures are derived by comparing growth in prescribing costs and items in selected SICBLs with what might have happened if national growth patterns had applied. Comparing actual growth with counterfactuals based on national growth patterns should remove […]