Davies, J., Cooper, Ruth ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9735-4731, Moncrieff, J., Montagu, L., Rae, T. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4010-5945 and Parhi, M. (2021) The costs incurred by the NHS in England due to the unnecessary prescribing of dependency-forming medications. Addictive Behaviors, 125:107143. ISSN 0306-4603 (doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107143)

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Abstract

This cross-sectional study estimates the costs incurred by the National Health Service (NHS) in England as a consequence of the unnecessary prescribing (i.e. non-indicated or dispensable) of dependency-forming medicines (antidepressants, opioids, gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs). It assesses prescribing in primary care from April 2015-March 2018. Analyses were based upon the following data sets: the number of adults continuously prescribed dependency forming medications and the duration of prescriptions (obtained from Public Health England); the Net Ingredient Cost (NIC) and the dispensing costs for each medicine (obtained from the NHS Business Service Authority [NHSBSA]). Consultation costs were calculated based on guideline recommendations and the number of consultations evidenced in prior research for long-term medication monitoring. Across opioids, gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs the total estimated unnecessary cost over three years (April 2015-March 2018) was £1,367,661,104 to £1,555,234,627. For antidepressants the total estimated unnecessary cost for one year was £37,321,783 to £45,765,504. The data indicate that the NHS in England may incur a significant estimated mean annual loss of £455,887,035 to £518,411,542 for opioids, gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and an estimated annual loss of £37,321,783 to £45,765,504 for antidepressants. Combined, this gives an estimated annual loss of £493,208,818 to £564,177,046 as a result of non-indicated or dispensable prescribing of dependency-forming medicines. Estimates are conservative and figures could be higher.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	antidepressants, Benzodiazapines, opioids, Z-drugs, dependency, Gabapentinoids
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HJ Public Finance R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Mental Health Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Related URLs:	Publisher
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2023 01:38
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/34617

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