Northern Ireland Sees Record Prescription Dispensing Amid Changing Pharmacy Landscape
The Department of Health has released the latest General Pharmaceutical Services for Northern Ireland, Annual Statistics 2024/25, providing a detailed look at how pharmacies across the region are serving the public’s healthcare needs. Published by the Health and Social Care’s Business Services Organisation (BSO), the report highlights a year of record-high dispensing figures and ongoing shifts in access and health demand.
Dispensing Hits All-Time High
In 2024/25, pharmacies across Northern Ireland dispensed 45.7 million prescription items marking a near 1% rise from the previous year and the highest on record. Community pharmacies handled over 99% of this total, dispensing an average of 89,000 items each, which is up by 2% year-on-year.
This surge continues a steady upward trend in prescription volumes, which have risen by 14% over the past decade. Monthly, BSO processed around 2.2 million prescription forms.
Despite this increased activity, the total ingredient cost for medications fell slightly to £497 million a 1% decrease from 2023/24. However, the cost remains 17% higher than in 2014/15, reflecting broader trends in healthcare demand and drug pricing.
Access and Demographics
At the close of the financial year, there were 508 community pharmacies in Northern Ireland three fewer than in the previous year. The report points to a continuing disparity in access, with Belfast residents living just 0.3 miles from their nearest pharmacy on average, compared to 1.6 miles for those in Fermanagh and Omagh. Still, over 99% of the population live within five miles of a pharmacy.
Demographic analysis reveals that 46% of prescriptions were dispensed to patients aged 65 and over. Meanwhile, 34% went to individuals aged 45–64. The report also shows significant variation in prescribing patterns by location, with the most deprived areas receiving 48% more items than the least deprived, though the average cost per item was 20% higher in more affluent areas.
Mental Health and Antibiotic Use
Notably, one in four women in Northern Ireland received antidepressant medication in 2024/25, compared to 16% of men. The data also shows that residents in the most deprived areas were one and a half times more likely to be prescribed antidepressants than those in the least deprived.
Infection control remains a focal point, with over one-third (36%) of the population receiving at least one antibiotic prescription, rising to 67% for those aged 85 and above.
Funding and Services
Beyond dispensing costs, BSO processed £125.2 million in payments to pharmacy contractors for services such as minor ailment treatment, smoking cessation support, and vaccinations. Total payments to all primary care contractors including GPs, dentists, opticians, and pharmacists exceeded £1.1 billion for 2024/25.
UK-Wide Comparison
As of the most recent UK-wide figures (2023/24), Northern Ireland had the highest ingredient cost per person at just over £262, 37% higher than England’s £191.
Access the Full Report
The full report, appendices, and updates are available from the BSO website: General Pharmaceutical Services and Prescribing Statistics – BSO.