CQC highlights increased FP10HPs for dexamfetamine

Hospital prescriptions for dexamfetamine (Schedule 2) to be dispensed in the community increased 64 per cent by volume during 2023 to 9,228 items.

Other key increases were seen in co-dydramol (up 33 per cent on 2022) and dihydrocodeine and codeine (both up 30 per cent), according to the annual CQC Controlled Drugs annual update report

Overall, during 2023, hospital prescribing (on FP10HP prescription forms that can be dispensed in a community pharmacy) was broadly in line with 2022, and prescribing for ADHD was in line with national trends.

In primary care NHS prescribing of controlled drug items totalled 73.83m items – a decrease of less than 0.5 per cent on 2022.

Other key trends in 2023 include the following:

Increased testosterone prescribing, which could be linked to increased awareness of its use for women experiencing menopause
Increased non-medical prescribing. Similar to last year, pharmacists account for over half of non-medical prescribing.
Reduced prescribing of pholcodine (after changes to clinical guidance and availability), pethidine, co-proxamol, fentanyl and diamorphine, and in certain age groups, fentanyl patch prescribing

CQC recommendations for health and care services include better information sharing of concerns in relation to controlled drugs.

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