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Over 1.06 billion items were prescribed in 2014, an increase of 3.3 per cent (34.5 million items) on 2013, according to figures released today (July 7) by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).

The 2014 figure also represents an increase of 55.2 per cent on 2004 (378.5 million items).

However the overall net ingredient cost (NIC) of prescriptions in 2014 stood at £8.85 billion, an increase of 2.6 per cent (£227.5 million) from 2013. Since 2004 this figure has increased by 9.6 per cent (£773.0 million).

The Prescriptions Dispensed in the Community 2004-2014 report looks at prescriptions dispensed in England by community pharmacists, appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions for items administered in GP practices.

The report shows that the average net ingredient cost per prescription item dispensed in the community decreased by 29.4 per cent since 2004. The average NIC per prescription item fell to £8.32 in 2014 from £8.37 in 2013 and £11.78 in 2004.

Of all prescription items dispensed, 89.9 per cent (957.1 million) were dispensed free of charge.