The actual cost of items prescribed in primary care and dispensed in the community in England is increasing year on year, according to the latest official data.

NHS Business Services Authority said the £10.1 billion figure for 2023-24 compared with £9.59 billion the year before, £8.9 billion in 2021-22, £8.8 billion in 2020-21 and £8.48 billion in 2019-20.

The total cost to NHS commissioners for medicines, appliances, and medical devices in 2023-24 was £19.9 billion, including a deduction of £631 million for central rebates.

The net ingredient cost for items dispensed in the community increased by £486 million, from £10.2 billion in 2022-23 to £10.7 billion in 2023-24. It has been steadily increasing in recent years, from £9.08 billion in 2019-20 to £9.42 billion in 2020-21 to £9.49 billion in 2021-22.

North-East and North Cumbria integrated care board produced the highest net ingredient cost for items dispensed in the community in 2023-24 with £641 million, followed by Greater Manchester ICB (£600 million), Cheshire and Merseyside ICB (£555 million) and West Yorkshire ICB (£484 million).