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Antibiotics

Volume 460: debated on Monday 21 May 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the (a) total consumption of antibiotics in the NHS and (b) net cost to the NHS of prescribing antibiotics in each year since 1997. (135753)

Most antibiotics are classified under sections 5.1, 11.3.1 and 13.10.1 of the British National Formulary. Information on antibiotics dispensed in the community in England is provided in the table on this basis.

Prescription items (thousand)

Net ingredient cost (£000)

1997

51,686.3

185,393.2

1998

47,655.0

176,280.7

1999

43,548.9

190,385.6

2000

41,728.2

185,233.6

2001

42,840.2

176,460.3

2002

41,678.3

177,952.9

2003

42,446.0

182,721.9

2004

41,335.5

184,715.0

2005

41,916.8

174,949.3

2006

41,639.1

184,941.5

Source: Prescription Cost Analysis system

The national health service also makes considerable use of antibiotics (systemic antibacterials) in hospitals. The estimated cost for the years available is shown in the table.

Estimated cost (£000)

2001

186,592.7

2002

203,664.8

2003

221,229.1

2004

236,305.6

2005

228,304.0

Source:IMS HEALTH: Hospital Pharmacy Audit