Cost of drugs in 2017 in England dropped 0.41%, but more items dispensed

In 2017, £9.17 billion ($12.7 billion) was the cost of prescriptions dispensed in England, representing decrease of 0.41% (£37.6 million) from 2016, according to a new report released by NHS Digital, the national information and technology partner of the health and care system. The figure does not take into account discounts, dispensing costs, fees, or the income from prescription charges.

Also in 2017, 1.11 billion prescription items were dispensed in the community, an increase of 0.15% (1.7 million) from 2016

Prescription Cost Analysis, England 2017, details the number of items and the Net Ingredient Cost (NIC) of all prescriptions dispensed in the community in England. This includes all items dispensed by the NHS, except those dispensed in hospitals or on private prescriptions.