England 2016/17 to 2025/26

Published 23 July 2026

Summary

In England in 2025/26:

5 million drugs for dementia items were prescribed to an estimated 341,000 identified patients.

The number of drugs for dementia items is at its highest level since 2016/17.

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 2016/17 to 2025/26

Chart
Figure 1: The total number of drugs for dementia items increased between 2020/21 and 2025/26
Table
Table 1: The total number of drugs for dementia items increased between 2020/21 and 2025/26
Financial year BNF chemical substance name Total items
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
2025/2026 Donepezil hydrochloride 2,110,442
2025/2026 Galantamine 106,277
2025/2026 Memantine hydrochloride 2,391,369
2025/2026 Rivastigmine 436,833
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
2025/2026 Total 5,044,921

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia

There were 5 million drugs for dementia items prescribed in 2025/26, 5.2% more than in 2024/25. Drugs for dementia items have increased for 3 out of 4 BNF chemical substances in this section since 2024/25. The number of galantamine items continued to decrease, with a decrease of 11% since 2024/25.

Memantine hydrochloride had the largest increase of 8.3% between 2024/25 and 2025/26. For the second consecutive year, memantine hydrochloride was the chemical substance with the most items prescribed in this section in 2025/26 followed by donepezil hydrochloride.

Number of identified patients prescribed one or more drugs for dementia item in England 2016/17 to 2025/26

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 2025/26
Table
Table 2: Total identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia increased in 2025/26
Financial year BNF chemical substance name Total identified patients
2016/2017 Donepezil hydrochloride 142,801
2016/2017 Galantamine 14,517
2016/2017 Memantine hydrochloride 77,351
2016/2017 Rivastigmine 32,687
2017/2018 Donepezil hydrochloride 144,225
2017/2018 Galantamine 13,418
2017/2018 Memantine hydrochloride 87,395
2017/2018 Rivastigmine 33,403
2018/2019 Donepezil hydrochloride 144,256
2018/2019 Galantamine 12,303
2018/2019 Memantine hydrochloride 97,739
2018/2019 Rivastigmine 33,958
2019/2020 Donepezil hydrochloride 145,999
2019/2020 Galantamine 11,609
2019/2020 Memantine hydrochloride 110,580
2019/2020 Rivastigmine 34,812
2020/2021 Donepezil hydrochloride 138,267
2020/2021 Galantamine 10,255
2020/2021 Memantine hydrochloride 117,641
2020/2021 Rivastigmine 34,086
2021/2022 Donepezil hydrochloride 136,526
2021/2022 Galantamine 9,425
2021/2022 Memantine hydrochloride 124,669
2021/2022 Rivastigmine 33,357
2022/2023 Donepezil hydrochloride 140,441
2022/2023 Galantamine 9,119
2022/2023 Memantine hydrochloride 138,388
2022/2023 Rivastigmine 34,519
2023/2024 Donepezil hydrochloride 145,015
2023/2024 Galantamine 8,907
2023/2024 Memantine hydrochloride 153,087
2023/2024 Rivastigmine 35,686
2024/2025 Donepezil hydrochloride 148,150
2024/2025 Galantamine 8,644
2024/2025 Memantine hydrochloride 168,175
2024/2025 Rivastigmine 37,168
2025/2026 Donepezil hydrochloride 152,192
2025/2026 Galantamine 7,681
2025/2026 Memantine hydrochloride 182,453
2025/2026 Rivastigmine 39,379
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
2025/2026 Total 340,791

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia

An estimated 341,000 identified patients were prescribed at least one drugs for dementia item in 2025/26. This was 4.6% more than in 2024/25.

Identified patients have risen over time from 2021/22 to 2025/26 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 2016/17 to quarter 4 2025/26

Chart
Figure 3: Identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia increased across 2025/26, but items fell in quarter 4
Table
Table 3: Identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia increased across 2025/26, but items fell in quarter 4
Financial quarter BNF section name Total identified patients Total items
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
2025/2026 Q1 Drugs for dementia 276,858 1,229,360
2025/2026 Q2 Drugs for dementia 281,863 1,264,332
2025/2026 Q3 Drugs for dementia 286,994 1,293,982
2025/2026 Q4 Drugs for dementia 287,084 1,257,247

Source: Quarterly statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia

The number of identified patients increased for drugs for dementia across all 4 quarters of 2025/26. Items increased during the first 3 quarters until Q4 2025/26, where they decreased by 2.8%. Items have decreased between Q3 and Q4 in every year since 2016/17. Overall, items and identified patients remain higher than the same quarter in 2024/25. Between Q4 2024/25 and Q4 2025/26, items increased by 5.3% and identified patients increased by 4.7%.

Number of identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia, by age band and gender, England 2025/26

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 192
Drugs for dementia Under 50 Male 221
Drugs for dementia 50 to 54 Female 282
Drugs for dementia 50 to 54 Male 278
Drugs for dementia 55 to 59 Female 1,030
Drugs for dementia 55 to 59 Male 991
Drugs for dementia 60 to 64 Female 2,651
Drugs for dementia 60 to 64 Male 2,546
Drugs for dementia 65 to 69 Female 6,101
Drugs for dementia 65 to 69 Male 5,854
Drugs for dementia 70 to 74 Female 14,661
Drugs for dementia 70 to 74 Male 12,623
Drugs for dementia 75 to 79 Female 37,252
Drugs for dementia 75 to 79 Male 28,880
Drugs for dementia 80 to 84 Female 52,018
Drugs for dementia 80 to 84 Male 35,980
Drugs for dementia 85 to 89 Female 53,017
Drugs for dementia 85 to 89 Male 30,971
Drugs for dementia 90+ Female 38,744
Drugs for dementia 90+ Male 16,388

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia

As in previous years, 2025/26 had noticeable differences in prescribing between males and females, with an estimated 206,000 female patients and 135,000 male patients.

Female patients aged 85 to 89 were the largest group across all age and gender groups in 2025/26. Patients in this group accounted for 16% of all identified patients with a known age and gender who received prescribing of dementia drugs. Female patients aged 80 and older accounted for 42% while male patients aged 80 and older made up 24% of all identified patients with a known age and gender for this BNF section in 2025/26.

Number of identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia, by Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile, England 2025/26

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 Total items Items per patient
Drugs for dementia 1 - Most Deprived 59,113 841,215 14.2
Drugs for dementia 2 67,994 940,399 13.8
Drugs for dementia 3 75,119 991,763 13.2
Drugs for dementia 4 82,266 1,056,519 12.8
Drugs for dementia 5 - Least Deprived 86,806 1,100,779 12.7

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia

In 2025/26, an estimated 59,100 identified patients were prescribed drugs for dementia items in the most deprived areas in England. This was 32% fewer identified patients than in the least deprived areas. In general, more people were prescribed drugs for dementia items in less deprived areas in 2025/26. Since 2016/17 this pattern has remained consistent.

Drugs for dementia remained the only BNF section in this publication where the number of identified patients was higher in the least deprived areas than the most deprived areas. However, the number of items prescribed per patient on average is lower in the least deprived areas compared to the most deprived areas. In 2025/26, there were 14.2 items per patient prescribed in the most deprived areas compared to 12.7 items per patient in the least deprived areas.

Number of identified patients prescribed drugs for dementia per 1,000 population by ICB, England 2025/26

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 Lincolnshire ICB QJM Drugs for dementia 9.0
NHS Gloucestershire ICB QR1 Drugs for dementia 8.6
NHS Sussex ICB QNX Drugs for dementia 8.6
NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB QXU Drugs for dementia 8.2
NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB QMM Drugs for dementia 8.1
NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB QNC Drugs for dementia 8.0
NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB QUY Drugs for dementia 7.9
NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB QHM Drugs for dementia 7.6
NHS South Yorkshire ICB QF7 Drugs for dementia 7.2
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB QRL Drugs for dementia 7.1
NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB QOQ Drugs for dementia 7.1
NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB QJ2 Drugs for dementia 7.0
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB QE1 Drugs for dementia 7.0
NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB QOX Drugs for dementia 6.6
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB QYG Drugs for dementia 6.4
NHS Frimley ICB QNQ Drugs for dementia 6.4
NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly ICB QT6 Drugs for dementia 6.3
NHS Dorset ICB QVV Drugs for dementia 6.1
NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB QU9 Drugs for dementia 6.1
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB QJG Drugs for dementia 6.0
NHS Mid and South Essex ICB QH8 Drugs for dementia 6.0
NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB QOC Drugs for dementia 5.9
NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB QUE Drugs for dementia 5.9
NHS Kent and Medway ICB QKS Drugs for dementia 5.8
NHS Devon ICB QJK Drugs for dementia 5.7
NHS West Yorkshire ICB QWO Drugs for dementia 5.7
NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB QM7 Drugs for dementia 5.5
NHS Greater Manchester ICB QOP Drugs for dementia 5.5
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB QT1 Drugs for dementia 5.4
NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB QK1 Drugs for dementia 5.4
NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB QHG Drugs for dementia 5.2
NHS North Central London ICB QMJ Drugs for dementia 5.0
NHS South West London ICB QWE Drugs for dementia 4.9
NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB QWU Drugs for dementia 4.8
NHS Northamptonshire ICB QPM Drugs for dementia 4.7
NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB QGH Drugs for dementia 4.4
NHS South East London ICB QKK Drugs for dementia 4.3
NHS North West London ICB QRV Drugs for dementia 3.6
NHS Somerset ICB QSL Drugs for dementia 3.5
NHS Black Country ICB QUA Drugs for dementia 3.5
NHS North East London ICB QMF Drugs for dementia 2.9
NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB QHL Drugs for dementia 2.6

Source: Financial year statistical summary tables - Drugs for dementia | Office for National Statistics - ICB Mid-2024 population estimates

In 2025/26, NHS Lincolnshire ICB had the highest rate of prescribing of drugs for dementia items. An estimated 9 identified patients per 1,000 population received at least one drugs for dementia item.

NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB had the lowest estimated number of identified patients per 1,000 population prescribed a drugs for dementia item in 2025/26, with an estimated 3 patients per 1,000 population.

3. Sections in this release