Dataset Description
This dataset provides a detailed view of prescribing patterns for medications primarily used in the treatment of mental health disorders and illnesses across England. It includes data on the volume of prescription items (the total number of times a drug is prescribed) and the number of unique patients (distinct individuals receiving these prescriptions). The dataset follows the structure of the British National Formulary (BNF) prior to version 70, ensuring consistency for historical analysis.
The data captures prescriptions issued in England and dispensed in community settings, including those dispensed in Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. However, it does not include medications dispensed in hospitals or prescribed privately.
The dataset covers the following BNF sections:
- BNF Section 4.1 – Hypnotics and Anxiolytics Medications for managing anxiety and sleep disorders, including benzodiazepines, buspirone, and Z-drugs like zopiclone and zolpidem.
- BNF Section 4.2 – Drugs Used for Psychoses and Related Disorders Antipsychotic medications prescribed for conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, including risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine.
- BNF Section 4.3 – Antidepressant Drugs Medications used to treat depressive and anxiety disorders, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine and sertraline, as well as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
- BNF Section 4.4 – CNS Stimulants and Drugs Used for ADHDPrimarily prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including methylphenidate (Ritalin) and lisdexamfetamine.
- BNF Section 4.11 – Drugs for Dementia Medications used to manage cognitive symptoms in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, including donepezil, rivastigmine, and memantine.
Purpose and Applications
This dataset is a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and the general public. It supports NHS and government strategy development, enables academic research into mental health prescribing trends, and promotes transparency and public accountability in the use of these medications.
Dataset Details
Service Overview
Data Source
NHSBSA Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW).
Data Collection
Data is collected from the submission of prescriptions by dispensing contractors to the NHSBSA. These prescriptions are issued by GPs and other authorised prescribers such as nurses, dentists, and allied health professionals. Prescriptions that are issued by hospitals can also be dispensed in the community and submitted for reimbursement. Prescriptions issued in hospitals and fulfilled by the hospital pharmacy or dispensary are not included in this data.
Time Periods
Quarterly data from 2015/2016 Q1.
Geography
National level – items prescribed in England that are then dispensed in the community in England, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
Caveats
Information: Caution on aggregating data
The patient counts shown in these statistics should only be analysed at the level at which they are presented. Adding together any patient counts is likely to result in an overestimate of the number of patients.
Information: Statistical disclosure
Statistical disclosure control has been applied to rows containing fewer than 5 patients. These cells will appear blank.
Enquires
Who can I contact if I have queries relating to the data?
If you have any queries regarding the data provided, or if you plan on publishing, the data please contact DataServicesSupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the name of the dataset for reference. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.
Citing and Reusing This Data
Important information regarding reusing the data and copyright
If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.
The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2025” Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.
Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.
Citation
NHS Business Services Authority. "Medicines used in mental health - quarterly" NHS Business Services Authority Open Data. Accessed **[Date Accessed]**. URL: [https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/medicines-used-in-mental-health-quarterly](https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/medicines-used-in-mental-health-quarterly)
