England October to December 2023

Published 7 March 2024

Summary

Between October and December 2023:

There were 3.4 million antipsychotic items prescribed to an estimated 660,000 identified patients.

The cost of prescribed antipsychotic items was £39 million.

1. Things you should know

These drugs are used to treat psychoses and related disorders, and are referred to under the umbrella term antipsychotics. These drugs are classified and described under the BNF 68 section 4.2:

  • BNF paragraph 4.2.1 - Antipsychotic drugs
  • BNF paragraph 4.2.2 - Antipsychotic depot injections
  • BNF paragraph 4.2.3 - Drugs for mania and hypomania

2. Results - Drugs used in psychoses and related disorders

Figure 1: Number of prescribed items and identified patients by financial quarter - BNF 4.2: Drugs used in psychoses and related disorders

3.4 million antipsychotic items prescribed in Q3 2023/24.

660,000 identified patients received an antipsychotic item in Q3 2023/24.

Antipsychotics items and identified patients both show a continuing upwards trend.

Figure 2: Cost of prescribing by financial quarter - BNF 4.2: Drugs used in psychoses and related disorders

The cost of prescribed antipsychotic items in Q3 2023/24 was £39 million.

The cost of antipsychotic prescribing has decreased by 0.9% since the previous quarter.

Figure 3: Number of prescribed items and identified patients by month - BNF 4.2: Drugs used in psychoses and related disorders

Over the 12 months to December, an average of 501,000 patients per month received prescribing for antipsychotic items.

The total antipsychotic items increased by 1.5% in the 12 months to December, compared to the previous 12 month period.

3. Sections in this release