England July to September 2023

Published 7 December 2023

Summary

Between July and September 2023:

3.4 million antipsychotic items were prescribed to an estimated 650,000 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 Q2 2023/24.

650,000 identified patients received an antipsychotic item in Q2 2023/24.

Antipsychotics continue to show an upwards trend for items and identified patients.

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

The cost of prescribed antipsychotic items was £39 million in Q2 2023/24.

Since the previous quarter, the cost of antipsychotic prescribing has decreased by 4.3%.

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

An average of 500,000 patients per month received prescribing for antipsychotic over the last 12 months.

Antipsychotic items increased by 1.4% over the last 12 months, compared to the previous 12 month period.

3. Sections in this release