A new study has revealed that NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board (ICB) spends the most on prescriptions per person in England, with a notable expenditure of £332 each. The research, conducted by NHSDiscountOffers.co.uk, provides a detailed look into prescription spending across different NHS regions, highlighting significant variations in costs and usage.
The study analysed data from the NHS Business Services Authority and compared it with population figures for each ICB to determine spending patterns. Integrated Care Boards are responsible for planning and coordinating health services for their local populations.
NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough tops the spending list despite having the second-lowest number of prescribed items—20,560,730. The total expenditure on prescriptions in this area amounts to £333,380,057, serving a population of 1,004,323. This high cost per person is attributed to the expensive nature of the prescribed items, which average £16.21 per item.
Following closely is NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with £280 spent per person on prescriptions. This region has the fewest prescribed items—15,953,376—but a total expenditure of £227,956,506 for its population of 812,712. The high cost per item in this area averages £14.29, indicating significant investment in a smaller volume of prescriptions.
NHS West Yorkshire ranks third, with a prescription expenditure of £210 per person. The total cost of prescriptions here is £548,005,299, the second highest on the list, with a population of 2,607,572. This region also records a relatively high number of prescriptions per person, averaging 25.9 items, reflecting a combination of high volume and substantial costs.
In fourth place is NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, where £202 per person is spent on prescriptions. The total cost stands at £235,419,897 for a population of 1,166,953. This area also features prominently with the highest number of items prescribed per person, averaging 22.9.
The top five is rounded out by NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, with £200 per person spent on prescriptions. The total expenditure is £246,174,370, serving a population of 1,233,085.
Conversely, the regions spending the least on prescriptions per person are predominantly in London. NHS South East London leads this group, spending just £106 per person. The total cost here is £216,396,671, with a population of 2,038,754. It is followed by NHS North Central London (£107 per person), NHS South West London (£108 per person), and NHS North East London (£113 per person). NHS Surrey Heartlands, with £126 spent per person, completes the list of the five lowest spenders.
Steve Bater, spokesperson for NHSDiscountOffers.co.uk, commented on the findings: “The data highlights the considerable investment in prescription costs across various NHS regions. It also provides insight into the disparities in spending, reflecting differences in medication costs and the prevalence of chronic conditions in these areas. Regions that spend more per person often face higher prescription volumes or more expensive medications, suggesting a need for more comprehensive healthcare coverage.”
Bater further noted that the study underscores the NHS’s commitment to ensuring access to necessary medications. “These figures demonstrate the NHS’s dedication to supporting public health and improving well-being across England. The substantial investment in prescription costs aims to provide better healthcare and address the needs of local populations effectively.”
For further details on prescription spending and its implications for NHS regions, NHSDiscountOffers.co.uk provides comprehensive analysis and updates.