The amount spent on diabetes drugs per patient who has the condition varies almost 1.7-fold across England CCG areas, from £239 spent in Northumberland CCG to £415 in Warwickshire North CCG.
The Prescribing for Diabetes 2005/6 to 2015/16 dataset shows that a total of 50m items were prescribed for diabetes over the last year, at a net ingredient cost (NIC) of £957m – equivalent to £2.6m a day. Use the interactive map below to find out more about your CCG's spending on diabetes drugs.
Map: Spending on diabetes prescriptions
Drugs used in diabetes now make up 11% of total primary care prescribing costs and 5% of prescription items, according to NHS Digital (previously HSCIC) data.
But this varies regionally, with North Tyneside CCG spending proportionally the least (7%) on diabetes and Newham CCG spending the highest, where nearly £1 in every £6 (18%) goes on diabetes drugs.
Overall costs across England more than doubled during the last decade, with costs rising £514m since 2005/6, and the number of items prescribed rising 27m over the same period. Costs increased by £88m in 2015/16 alone.
Diabetes prevalence – calculated based on QOF records – ranges from almost 4% in Richmond CCG to 10% in Bradford City. But the data make clear that there is also significant variation in the amount each CCG spends per patient with diabetes in their area.
Photo: iStock
