Patterns of dispensed non-medical prescriber prescriptions for antibiotics in primary care across England: a retrospective analysis

Courtenay, Molly ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8639-5917, Gillespie, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6934-2928 and Lim, Rosemary 2017. Patterns of dispensed non-medical prescriber prescriptions for antibiotics in primary care across England: a retrospective analysis. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 72 (10) 10.1093/jac/dkx230

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Abstract

ObjectivesTo describe the patterns of dispensed non-medical prescriber (NMP) prescriptions for antibiotics in primary care across England between 2011 and 2015.MethodsA retrospective analysis of dispensed antibiotic prescriptions, written by NMPs and medical prescribers between 2011 and 2015 in primary care in England, obtained from the National Health Service Business Services Authority.ResultsBetween 2011 and 2015, the number of NMPs (mainly nurses but also pharmacists and small numbers of allied health professionals) in England, who have independent prescribing capability, has risen by over one-third to nearly 30000. Most of these prescribers provide a broad range of services in primary care. The rate of dispensed NMP prescriptions for antibiotics over this period has increased, as has the percentage of all primary care antibiotics dispensed that were prescribed by NMPs, which is currently nearly 8%. The most commonly dispensed NMP antibiotic prescriptions were penicillin, sulphonamides, trimethoprim, macrolides, tetracyclines and nitrofurantoin.ConclusionsIncreasing numbers of NMPs are working in primary care in England and managing infections. Antibiotics prescribed by this group align with surveillance reports of antibiotic use in primary care. With the numbers of NMPs being set to rise further, they form an important group to involve in antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
ISSN:	0305-7453
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	1 August 2017
Date of Acceptance:	13 June 2017
Last Modified:	04 Dec 2024 19:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/103163

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