England 2015/16 to 2024/25

Published 24 July 2025

Summary

In England in 2024/25:

4.79 million drugs for dementia items were prescribed to 326,000 identified patients.

The number of drugs for dementia items is at its highest level since 2015/16.

More patients were prescribed drugs for dementia in the least deprived areas versus the most deprived.

1. Things you should know

Drugs for dementia are described in the British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.11:

  • 0411000D0 - Donepezil hydrochloride
  • 0411000E0 - Rivastigmine
  • 0411000F0 - Galantamine
  • 0411000G0 - Memantine hydrochloride
These chemical substances are held in the same structure of the BNF prior to the release of version 70.

1.1. Drugs for dementia

Dementia is a disease that leads to progressive loss of brain function typified by memory loss, confusion, speech difficulties and problems in understanding. There are over 100 different types of dementia. The most common forms are:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Vascular dementia
  • Dementia with Lewy bodies
  • Pick’s disease
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Alcohol-related dementia
  • HIV/AIDS related dementia

Dementia mainly affects older people but can also occur in people as young as thirty due to either alcohol abuse or HIV/AIDS. No cure for dementia currently exists. However, drugs may slow the rate of decline or in some patients make a small improvement in symptoms. Despite this, disease progression is inevitable.

You can find more information about the various types of dementia on the NHS website.

2. Results - Drugs for dementia

Number of drugs for dementia items prescribed in England 2015/16 to 2024/25

Chart
Figure 1: The total number of drugs for dementia items increased between 2020/21 and 2024/25
Table
Table 1: The total number of drugs for dementia items increased between 2020/21 and 2024/25
Financial year BNF chemical substance name Items
2015/2016 Donepezil hydrochloride 1,978,423
2015/2016 Galantamine 235,338
2015/2016 Memantine hydrochloride 827,858
2015/2016 Rivastigmine 364,296
2016/2017 Donepezil hydrochloride 2,085,323
2016/2017 Galantamine 214,711
2016/2017 Memantine hydrochloride 1,009,412
2016/2017 Rivastigmine 385,514
2017/2018 Donepezil hydrochloride 2,105,154
2017/2018 Galantamine 193,096
2017/2018 Memantine hydrochloride 1,149,639
2017/2018 Rivastigmine 393,624
2018/2019 Donepezil hydrochloride 2,115,979
2018/2019 Galantamine 180,353
2018/2019 Memantine hydrochloride 1,296,257
2018/2019 Rivastigmine 396,368
2019/2020 Donepezil hydrochloride 2,150,414
2019/2020 Galantamine 170,022
2019/2020 Memantine hydrochloride 1,483,943
2019/2020 Rivastigmine 409,387
2020/2021 Donepezil hydrochloride 2,001,156
2020/2021 Galantamine 149,321
2020/2021 Memantine hydrochloride 1,510,868
2020/2021 Rivastigmine 387,026
2021/2022 Donepezil hydrochloride 1,928,958
2021/2022 Galantamine 133,641
2021/2022 Memantine hydrochloride 1,622,402
2021/2022 Rivastigmine 382,039
2022/2023 Donepezil hydrochloride 1,951,410
2022/2023 Galantamine 126,696
2022/2023 Memantine hydrochloride 1,772,643
2022/2023 Rivastigmine 386,590
2023/2024 Donepezil hydrochloride 1,991,334
2023/2024 Galantamine 122,418
2023/2024 Memantine hydrochloride 1,969,190
2023/2024 Rivastigmine 399,496
2024/2025 Donepezil hydrochloride 2,054,104
2024/2025 Galantamine 119,421
2024/2025 Memantine hydrochloride 2,207,262
2024/2025 Rivastigmine 413,721
2015/2016 Total 3,405,915
2016/2017 Total 3,694,960
2017/2018 Total 3,841,513
2018/2019 Total 3,988,957
2019/2020 Total 4,213,766
2020/2021 Total 4,048,371
2021/2022 Total 4,067,040
2022/2023 Total 4,237,339
2023/2024 Total 4,482,438
2024/2025 Total 4,794,508

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia

There were 4.79 million drugs for dementia items prescribed in 2024/25, 6.96% more than in 2023/24. Drugs for dementia items have increased in 3 out of 4 BNF chemical substances in this section since 2023/24. The number of galantamine items continued to decrease, with a decrease of 2.45% since 2023/24.

Memantine hydrochloride had the largest increase of 12.1% between 2023/24 and 2024/25. For the first time since 2015/16, memantine hydrochloride overtook donepezil hydrochloride to become the chemical substance with the most items prescribed in this section.

Number of identified patients prescribed one or more drugs for dementia item in England 2015/16 to 2024/25

Any patient who was prescribed items from more than one chemical substance is counted in the total for each relevant chemical substance. However, these patients have only been counted once in the drugs for dementia total. The total number of identified patients is therefore lower than if the totals for each chemical substance are added together.

Chart
Figure 2: Total identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia increased in 2024/25
Table
Table 2: Total identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia increased in 2024/25
Financial year BNF chemical substance name Identified patients
2015/2016 Donepezil hydrochloride 136,742
2015/2016 Rivastigmine 31,076
2015/2016 Galantamine 15,925
2015/2016 Memantine hydrochloride 65,145
2016/2017 Donepezil hydrochloride 142,801
2016/2017 Rivastigmine 32,687
2016/2017 Galantamine 14,517
2016/2017 Memantine hydrochloride 77,351
2017/2018 Donepezil hydrochloride 144,225
2017/2018 Rivastigmine 33,403
2017/2018 Galantamine 13,418
2017/2018 Memantine hydrochloride 87,395
2018/2019 Donepezil hydrochloride 144,256
2018/2019 Rivastigmine 33,958
2018/2019 Galantamine 12,303
2018/2019 Memantine hydrochloride 97,739
2019/2020 Donepezil hydrochloride 145,999
2019/2020 Rivastigmine 34,812
2019/2020 Galantamine 11,609
2019/2020 Memantine hydrochloride 110,580
2020/2021 Donepezil hydrochloride 138,267
2020/2021 Rivastigmine 34,086
2020/2021 Galantamine 10,255
2020/2021 Memantine hydrochloride 117,641
2021/2022 Donepezil hydrochloride 136,526
2021/2022 Rivastigmine 33,357
2021/2022 Galantamine 9,425
2021/2022 Memantine hydrochloride 124,669
2022/2023 Donepezil hydrochloride 140,441
2022/2023 Rivastigmine 34,519
2022/2023 Galantamine 9,119
2022/2023 Memantine hydrochloride 138,388
2023/2024 Donepezil hydrochloride 145,015
2023/2024 Rivastigmine 35,686
2023/2024 Galantamine 8,907
2023/2024 Memantine hydrochloride 153,087
2024/2025 Donepezil hydrochloride 148,150
2024/2025 Rivastigmine 37,168
2024/2025 Galantamine 8,644
2024/2025 Memantine hydrochloride 168,175
2015/2016 Total 233,996
2016/2017 Total 250,818
2017/2018 Total 261,039
2018/2019 Total 268,486
2019/2020 Total 279,596
2020/2021 Total 275,595
2021/2022 Total 276,987
2022/2023 Total 292,704
2023/2024 Total 309,238
2024/2025 Total 325,803

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia

An estimated 326,000 identified patients were prescribed at least one drugs for dementia item in 2024/25. This was 5.36% more than in 2023/24. Identified patients have risen over time from 2021/22 to 2024/25 for 3 out of 4 chemical substances and the overall trend is similar to items. Since 2023/24, memantine hydrochloride has been the chemical substance with the most identified patients in this section.

Number of identified patients and drugs for dementia items in England, quarter 1 2015/16 to quarter 4 2024/25

Chart
Figure 3: Identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia increased across 2024/25, but items fell in quarter 4
Table
Table 3: Identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia increased across 2024/25, but items fell in quarter 4
Financial quarter BNF section name Identified patients Total prescribed items
2015/2016 Q1 Drugs for dementia 180,342 812,150
2015/2016 Q2 Drugs for dementia 185,622 845,895
2015/2016 Q3 Drugs for dementia 191,945 885,040
2015/2016 Q4 Drugs for dementia 195,640 862,830
2016/2017 Q1 Drugs for dementia 199,589 900,686
2016/2017 Q2 Drugs for dementia 203,499 921,743
2016/2017 Q3 Drugs for dementia 207,733 948,934
2016/2017 Q4 Drugs for dementia 209,106 923,597
2017/2018 Q1 Drugs for dementia 210,277 943,148
2017/2018 Q2 Drugs for dementia 214,031 957,970
2017/2018 Q3 Drugs for dementia 217,645 982,553
2017/2018 Q4 Drugs for dementia 217,606 957,842
2018/2019 Q1 Drugs for dementia 216,616 971,558
2018/2019 Q2 Drugs for dementia 219,841 990,001
2018/2019 Q3 Drugs for dementia 224,062 1,026,663
2018/2019 Q4 Drugs for dementia 225,870 1,000,735
2019/2020 Q1 Drugs for dementia 227,652 1,028,003
2019/2020 Q2 Drugs for dementia 231,384 1,055,352
2019/2020 Q3 Drugs for dementia 234,737 1,082,148
2019/2020 Q4 Drugs for dementia 234,888 1,048,263
2020/2021 Q1 Drugs for dementia 231,052 1,037,749
2020/2021 Q2 Drugs for dementia 223,741 1,003,614
2020/2021 Q3 Drugs for dementia 225,865 1,024,994
2020/2021 Q4 Drugs for dementia 223,757 982,014
2021/2022 Q1 Drugs for dementia 223,836 996,880
2021/2022 Q2 Drugs for dementia 228,030 1,022,086
2021/2022 Q3 Drugs for dementia 231,152 1,031,912
2021/2022 Q4 Drugs for dementia 232,283 1,016,162
2022/2023 Q1 Drugs for dementia 234,161 1,038,052
2022/2023 Q2 Drugs for dementia 237,651 1,055,461
2022/2023 Q3 Drugs for dementia 241,777 1,075,635
2022/2023 Q4 Drugs for dementia 243,260 1,068,191
2023/2024 Q1 Drugs for dementia 246,593 1,080,309
2023/2024 Q2 Drugs for dementia 252,153 1,113,556
2023/2024 Q3 Drugs for dementia 258,377 1,148,688
2023/2024 Q4 Drugs for dementia 260,867 1,139,885
2024/2025 Q1 Drugs for dementia 263,548 1,166,695
2024/2025 Q2 Drugs for dementia 268,203 1,204,397
2024/2025 Q3 Drugs for dementia 272,900 1,229,016
2024/2025 Q4 Drugs for dementia 274,157 1,194,400

Source: Quarterly statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia

The number of identified patients increased for drugs for dementia across all 4 quarters of 2024/25. Items increased during the first 3 quarters until Q4 2024/25, where they decreased by 2.82%. Items have decreased between Q3 and Q4 in every year since 2015/16. Overall, items and identified patients remain higher than the same quarter in 2023/24. Between Q4 2023/24 and Q4 2024/25, items increased by 4.78% and identified patients increased by 5.09%.

Number of identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia, by age band and gender, England 2024/25

The data used in this chart and table includes identified patients where age and gender are known (99.8%). The number of patients is the raw figure and has not been adjusted by the national population of the same age and gender group. When interpreting demographic information the underlying populations should also be considered.

Chart
Figure 4: More female patients were prescribed drugs for dementia than male patients in older age bands
Table
Table 4: More female patients were prescribed drugs for dementia than male patients in older age bands
BNF section name Age band Patient gender Total identified patients
Drugs for dementia Under 50 Female 182
Drugs for dementia Under 50 Male 195
Drugs for dementia 50 to 54 Female 299
Drugs for dementia 50 to 54 Male 299
Drugs for dementia 55 to 59 Female 1,070
Drugs for dementia 55 to 59 Male 988
Drugs for dementia 60 to 64 Female 2,510
Drugs for dementia 60 to 64 Male 2,450
Drugs for dementia 65 to 69 Female 5,850
Drugs for dementia 65 to 69 Male 5,750
Drugs for dementia 70 to 74 Female 14,400
Drugs for dementia 70 to 74 Male 12,300
Drugs for dementia 75 to 79 Female 35,500
Drugs for dementia 75 to 79 Male 27,600
Drugs for dementia 80 to 84 Female 49,300
Drugs for dementia 80 to 84 Male 33,700
Drugs for dementia 85 to 89 Female 50,800
Drugs for dementia 85 to 89 Male 29,900
Drugs for dementia 90+ Female 37,300
Drugs for dementia 90+ Male 15,300

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia

As in previous years, 2024/25 had noticeable differences in prescribing between males and females, with 197,000 female patients and 128,000 male patients.

Female patients aged 80 and older account for 42.2% of all identified patients with a known age and gender who received prescribing of dementia drugs.

Number of identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia, by Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile, England 2024/25

Chart
Figure 5: Identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia were highest in the least deprived areas
Table
Table 5: Identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia were highest in the least deprived areas
BNF section name IMD quintile Total identified patients
Drugs for dementia 1 - Most Deprived 58,260
Drugs for dementia 2 63,520
Drugs for dementia 3 73,449
Drugs for dementia 4 79,746
Drugs for dementia 5 - Least Deprived 81,598

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia

In 2024/25, an estimated 58,300 identified patients were prescribed drugs for dementia items in the most deprived areas in England. This was 28.6% fewer identified patients than in the least deprived areas. In general, more people were prescribed drugs for dementia items in less deprived areas in 2024/25. Since 2016/17 this pattern has remained consistent.

Drugs for dementia remained the only BNF section in this publication where prescribing was higher in the least deprived areas than the most deprived areas.

Number of identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia per 1,000 population by ICB, England 2024/25

Map
Figure 6 (map): The number of identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia per 1,000 population varied by ICB
Chart
Figure 6 (chart): The number of identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia per 1,000 population varied by ICB

Note: After rounding the data, some ICBs have the same number of estimated patients per 1,000 population. This chart has been arranged by the unrounded values for each ICB.

Table
Table 6: The number of identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia per 1,000 population varied by ICB
ICB name ICB code BNF section name Patients per 1000 population
NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board QR1 Drugs for dementia 10.3
NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board QJM Drugs for dementia 10.0
NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board QNX Drugs for dementia 9.9
NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board QXU Drugs for dementia 9.8
NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board QUY Drugs for dementia 9.5
NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board QMM Drugs for dementia 9.2
NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board QNC Drugs for dementia 9.2
NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board QHM Drugs for dementia 8.8
NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board QF7 Drugs for dementia 8.2
NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board QJ2 Drugs for dementia 7.9
NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board QNQ Drugs for dementia 7.9
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board QRL Drugs for dementia 7.7
NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board QOX Drugs for dementia 7.6
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board QE1 Drugs for dementia 7.5
NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board QT6 Drugs for dementia 7.4
NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board QU9 Drugs for dementia 7.1
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board QYG Drugs for dementia 7.0
NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board QOQ Drugs for dementia 7.0
NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board QHG Drugs for dementia 6.8
NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board QUE Drugs for dementia 6.8
NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board QVV Drugs for dementia 6.8
NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board QKS Drugs for dementia 6.6
NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board QK1 Drugs for dementia 6.6
NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board QH8 Drugs for dementia 6.6
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board QJG Drugs for dementia 6.6
NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board QOC Drugs for dementia 6.5
NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board QWO Drugs for dementia 6.5
NHS Devon Integrated Care Board QJK Drugs for dementia 6.4
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board QOP Drugs for dementia 6.4
NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board QM7 Drugs for dementia 6.3
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board QT1 Drugs for dementia 6.0
NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board QWU Drugs for dementia 5.9
NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board QPM Drugs for dementia 5.7
NHS South West London Integrated Care Board QWE Drugs for dementia 5.6
NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board QMJ Drugs for dementia 5.5
NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board QGH Drugs for dementia 4.7
NHS South East London Integrated Care Board QKK Drugs for dementia 4.6
NHS North West London Integrated Care Board QRV Drugs for dementia 4.2
NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board QUA Drugs for dementia 3.9
NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board QSL Drugs for dementia 3.7
NHS North East London Integrated Care Board QMF Drugs for dementia 3.5
NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board QHL Drugs for dementia 2.9

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia | Office for National Statistics - ICB Mid-year population estimates

In 2024/25, NHS Gloucestershire ICB had the highest rate of prescribing of drugs for dementia items. An estimated 10 identified patients per 1,000 population received at least one drugs for dementia item.

As in 2023/24, NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB had the lowest estimated number of identified patients per 1,000 population prescribed a drugs for dementia item in 2024/25, with an estimated 3 patients per 1,000 population.

3. Sections in this release