North East GPs prescribing paracetamol at more than twice expected rate

GPs in seven North East primary care trusts (PCTs) are prescribing paracetamol at twice the expected rate and could save the NHS an estimated £2.5m a year by their bringing prescribing rates down to the national average, according to the latest analysis by researchers at CHKS.

Paracetamol prescribing is linked to deprivation and age but even when this is taken into account, analysis of rates of prescribing for February 2012 found they are more than twice as high as expected. Subsequent months show a similar pattern and at £3 per paracetamol prescription, the cost of extra prescribing across seven PCTs equates to £2.5m per year. The seven PCTs are: NHS County Durham, Gateshead Primary Care Trust2, South Tyneside Primary Care Trust and Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust, NHS Newcastle, NHS North Tyneside and NHS Hartlepool. 

CHKS has just launched a new online tool for commissioners that analyses the 128 most commonly prescribed items or drugs in England, covering most of the country’s £8bn annual primary care prescribing budget. The tool uses GP prescribing data to help commissioners identify areas where current spending is at variance to the national average. 

Jason Harries, managing director, CHKS said: “Even when compared with similarly deprived PCTs we have found there is considerable variation and commissioners in the North East England should take note. This variance is something that could save the NHS a significant amount and CHKS has a part to play in highlighting these potential savings.”

Notes to editors:
1. CHKS Ltd, part of Capita plc, is a provider of healthcare intelligence and quality improvement services to the NHS and independent healthcare sector. With over 20 years’ experience and having worked with over 300 clients, CHKS has a portfolio of information products, internationally-recognised accreditation programmes and consultancy services which provide clinicians and managers with the information needed to drive improvements inpatient care, financial efficiency, clinical effectiveness and quality. 

2. NHS South of Tyne and Wear covers Gateshead Primary Care Trust, South Tyneside Primary Care Trust and Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust and is the name given to the integrated management arrangements which exist across the three PCTs.