Drugs utilization profile in England and Wales in the past 15 years: a secular trend analysis

Abstract

Background Medication use assessment has a critical role in promoting the effective and rational use of pharmaceutical medications. There are no studies that have explored the utilization of all medications in England and Wales in the past 15 years without restrictions in the age group being studied or class of medications. Aim To explore the medication utilization pattern of dispensed medications in England and Wales in the past 15 years. Method A secular trend analysis study using publically available dispensing data on the population level in England and Wales for the duration between 2004 and 2019. Medication dispensing data was extracted from the Prescription Cost Analysis database. Results Medication prescriptions rate increased by 42.6% [from 1,345,095.75 (95% CI 1,345,004.25 – 1,345,187.26) in 2004 to 1,918,138.48 (95% CI 1,918,038.38 – 1,918,238.57) in 2019 per 100,000 persons, trend test, p < 0.001]. During the study period, the most common medication prescriptions were for the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, and endocrine system, which accounted for 30.2%, 18.8%, and 9.4%, respectively. The rate of medication prescriptions for skin, immunological products and vaccines, infections, and musculoskeletal and joint diseases decreased by 18.4%, 15.8%, 9.8%, and 5.7%, respectively. Conclusion The last two decades have witnessed a remarkable rise in the quantity of medications dispensed in community settings. Utilization of chronic disease medications has increased in the past 15 years, specifically, dispensed medications for the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, and endocrine system. It is necessary to conduct additional cohort studies to investigate the clinical outcomes and prescribing safety of these medications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-022-01853-1.

Paediatric hospitalisation related to medications administration errors of non-opioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics in England and Wales: a longitudinal ecological study

“…This study found that the total annual number of hospital admissions related to MAEs of non-opioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics for various reasons increased by 21.7% during the study period between 1999 and 2020, expressing an increase in the hospital admission rate of 12.3%. This is confirming the findings of a previous study by Naser et al , which reported that the prescribing rate for analgesics increased by 21.9% for analgesic medicaitons for the duration between 2004 and 2019 27. In addition, other investigations conducted in Denmark, Sweden and Norway have examined the utilisation patterns of many categories of drugs, including opioids and antiarrhythmic medications, and have documented a rise in their utilisation 28–30.…”

Trends in hospital admissions and prescribing due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in England and Wales between 1999 and 2020: an ecological study

“…Four, due to the aggregated nature of the data on the population level, we were unable to estimate the age-adjusted rate of admissions. However, the data we have used, have been validated for epidemiological research purposes, and has been used for the description of various diseases outcomes across the UK [45][46][47]. In addition, there is a possibility of systematic differences across regions in tracking the disease frequency and measuring exposures.…”

Trends in Hospital Admissions for Mental, Behavioural and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in England and Wales between 1999 and 2019: An Ecological Study

“…One possible reason for the increase in this type of admission is the increase in the prescription rate of psychotropic medications [ 28 ]. A recent study in the UK reported that the prescription rate of central nervous system medications increased by 54.1% during the period between 2004 and 2019 [ 29 ]. Antidepressant medications accounted for 28.0% of the total number of medications prescribed for central nervous system conditions [ 29 ].…”

“…A recent study in the UK reported that the prescription rate of central nervous system medications increased by 54.1% during the period between 2004 and 2019 [ 29 ]. Antidepressant medications accounted for 28.0% of the total number of medications prescribed for central nervous system conditions [ 29 ]. Besides, a previous study in the United States has found that between 2003 and 2017, the mortality rate from psychostimulant addiction and poisoning rose by a third [ 30 ].…”