News / Scot auditor flags £26m drugs savings

GPs could potentially save the NHS in Scotland up to £26m a year without affecting patient care, according to Audit Scotland.

Its report, Prescribing in general practice in Scotland, said there had been improvements in the management of GP prescribing. Spending dropped by 11% in real terms between 2004 and 2011, even though the volume of prescriptions rose by a third during that period. NHS Scotland general practices now spend around £1bn a year on prescription drugs.

Further savings were possible. Of the £26m a year, most would come from reducing wastage (£12m) and avoiding less effective medicines (£8m). Other potential savings were £2m by increasing generic prescribing. Though achievable savings were likely to be lower, additional short-term gains could be made following the expiry of drug patents. This could amount to £316m from 2010 to 2015 across primary and secondary care.

Auditor general Caroline Gardner praised the service for its management of the spending. However, she warned it was likely that demand would continue to rise and the NHS must keep working with GPs to manage spending and ensure patients get the drugs they need.

‘In coming years, a number of factors will affect prescribing and its associated spending, and it is difficult to forecast and quantify their long-term impact,’ she said.

‘These factors include new medicines and cheaper versions of existing drugs becoming available, Scotland’s ageing population, and lifestyle issues such as obesity, smoking and alcohol misuse and associated illnesses. The unclear long-term picture means it is important the NHS continues supporting cost-effective prescribing to get the most from the significant investment.’