Abstract
In 2015, in England, dental prescriptions cost £31.2m, an increase of 19.3% from 2014 (£26.2m), continuing the trend of significant increases since 2012.
Aims: To identify widely prescribed medicines that are available Over The Counter (OTC); to establish the cost savings of obtaining OTC medicines rather than by prescription.
Methods: A review of Health and Social Care Information Centre data was performed to determine the thirty most widely prescribed drugs from the Dental Practitioners Formulary in 2015 that are available as pharmacy only medicines (P) or general sales list medicines (GSL) and to determine the thirty most prescribed drugs with the highest net ingredient cost (NIC) that are also available as P/GSL. A marginal cost analysis was undertaken of these data. Determinants affecting prescribing habits of dentists were outlined.
Results: The most commonly prescribed drug, that is also a GSL medicine, was chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) 0.2% mouthwash with 174,180 items dispensed in England in 2015, with a net ingredient cost (NIC) of £841,395. This was the 8th most prescribed dental drug in 2015. This was followed by Corsodyl mouthwash 0.2% (brand name for CG 0.2%) in 10th place with 66,874 items prescribed, costing £220,962. Ibuprofen 400mg was the most widely prescribed analgesic which is also available as a GSL/P with 43,641 items prescribed in 2015, costing £47,187. The marginal saving of obtaining ibuprofen OTC in 2015 rather than by prescription was calculated for the consumption of maximum dosage for 4 days for dental pain, with a typical cost of 50p, saved £25,336.82.
Conclusions: There are many medicines which are commonly prescribed which are also available OTC and the cost element of this is a factor all prescribers should be aware of. However, there may be multiple reasons why these medicines are prescribed and decisions should be made on an individual patient basis. Prescribing OTCs for certain patients may be more cost effective when considering the overall benefit to population health.
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