HC Deb 14 May 2002 vol 385 cc625-6W
Dr. Naysmith

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of each individual(a) benzodiazepine and (b) antidepressant was prescribed by doctors in England in 2001.[53516]

Ms Blears

The number of items for benzodiazepine and antidepressant drugs dispensed in the community by chemical entity is shown in the table.

Detailed information on individual preparations dispensed in the community is published in the publication "Prescription Cost Analysis: England 2001". The preparations are listed alphabetically within chemical entity by British National Formulary therapeutic class. A copy has been placed in the Library. The data are also available on the internet at www.doh.gov.uk/prescriptionstatistics/index.htm.

Number of prescription items dispensed in the community: England, 2001
Thousand
Chemical entity Prescription item
Benzodiazepines
Diazepam 4,502
Temazepam 4,449
Nitrazepam 1,963
Lorazepam 731
Chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride 368
Clonazepam 278
Oxazepam 262
Lormetazepam 194
Loprazolam mesylate 181
Clobazam 101
Total 13,028
Antidepressant drugs
Amitriptyline hydrochloride 4,333
Fluoxetine hydrochloride 4,006
Paroxetine hydrochloride 3,787
Dothiepin hydrochloride 3,031
Citalopram 2,812
Venlafaxine 1,504
Sertraline hydrochloride 1,443
Lofepramine hydrochloride 661
Trazodone hydrochloride 462
Clomipramine hydrochloride 433
Mirtazapine 430
Imipramine hydrochloride 318
Flupenthixol hydrochloride 253
Trimipramine maleate 212
Doxepin 146
Nortriptyline 138
Nefazodone hydrochloride 105
Reboxetine 71

Number of prescription items dispensed in the community: England, 2001
Thousand
Chemical entity Prescription item
Mianserin hydrochloride 45
Fluvoxamine maleate 37
Phenelzine sulphate 32
Moclobemide 32
Tranylcypromine sulphate 23
Maprotiline hydrochloride 14
Isocarboxazid 5
Tryptophan 5
Amoxapine 4
Total 24,343

Notes:

  1. 1. Data cover all prescriptions dispensed in the community, i.e. by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered. Information on items dispensed in hospitals is not available.
  2. 2. Benzodiazepines are contained within British National Formulary paragraphs 4.1.1, hypnotics and 4.1.2, anxiolitics. Benzodiazepines within 4.8.1, drugs used in the control of epilepsy, and 4.8.2, drugs used in status epilepticus, are also included as they too are used for anxiety relief. The therapeutic classifications are based on the British National Formulary No. 40, September 2000 version.
  3. 3. Antidepressant drugs are those defined in British National Formulary section 4.3, "antidepressant drugs". The therapeutic classifications are based on the British National Formulary No. 40, September 2000 version.