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<p>The Prescription Cost Analysis data, which is published by the NHS Business Services
Authority, shows that overall the number of prescription items in primary care has
been fairly stable over the last few years giving no indication that prescription
items, which could be issued for a longer time period, are being split between multiple
prescriptions. There could be valid reasons for prescribing a shorter period of treatment,
for example when the medicine is first initiated. The cost of prescribed drugs is
met by the prescriber’s clinical commissioning group (CCG). Prescribing the same quantity
of a medicine over time for people with a long-term condition, even if prescription
duration varies, has largely a neutral effect on National Health Service drug budgets
held by CCGs.</p>
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