England ADHD Prescriptions
Below shows how few prescriptions there are relative to the known population of people with ADHD. This substantially undermines any argument that there is over-prescription in England (and by likely extrapolation the UK) and, we would argue, is a strong indicator of under Assessment in England/UK.
We would further argue that the gradually increasing numbers are a positive indicator of individuals getting Assessments, of which a percentage chose medication. The positive aspect of individuals getting an assessment, learning of their condition, and now receiving the help they find beneficial (whether that choice is medication or not) should be seen as an indicator of improvement both systemically and individually. ADHD is a lifelong condition. Medication is an option for treatment and isn’t the choice of, and doesn’t suit, everyone.
have ADHD in the UK
have ADHD in England
individuals in England receive an ADHD prescription
%
individuals in England who have ADHD receiving a prescription
| wdt_ID | Date | Patients | Cost of Prescriptions | Annual Change In Patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 2015/2016 | 107,155 | 57,483,804.03 | |
| 32 | 2016/2017 | 115,945 | 60,378,028.56 | 8,790 |
| 33 | 2017/2018 | 124,789 | 63,766,177.93 | 8,844 |
| 34 | 2018/2019 | 136,211 | 67,819,423.70 | 11,422 |
| 35 | 2019/2020 | 154,858 | 75,274,998.56 | 18,647 |
| 36 | 2020/2021 | 162,838 | 77,435,825.44 | 7,980 |
| 37 | 2021/2022 | 192,105 | 86,548,139.09 | 29,267 |
| 38 | 2022/2023 | 233,474 | 103,739,428.74 | 41,369 |
| wdt_ID | Date | Patients | Cost of Prescriptions | Quarterly change in Individuals | Annual change in Individuals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015/2016 Q1 | 80,081 | 14,042,650.72 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 2015/2016 Q2 | 79,971 | 14,106,116.65 | -110 | 0 |
| 3 | 2015/2016 Q3 | 83,846 | 14,861,107.60 | 3,875 | 0 |
| 4 | 2015/2016 Q4 | 85,805 | 14,473,929.06 | 1,959 | 0 |
| 5 | 2016/2017 Q1 | 88,124 | 15,039,938.26 | 2,319 | 8,043 |
| 6 | 2016/2017 Q2 | 87,006 | 14,558,473.25 | -1,118 | 7,035 |
| 7 | 2016/2017 Q3 | 90,058 | 15,336,705.49 | 3,052 | 6,212 |
| 8 | 2016/2017 Q4 | 92,742 | 15,442,911.56 | 2,684 | 6,937 |
| 9 | 2017/2018 Q1 | 94,625 | 15,745,538.16 | 1,883 | 6,501 |
| 10 | 2017/2018 Q2 | 93,993 | 15,636,045.74 | -632 | 6,987 |
| 11 | 2017/2018 Q3 | 97,497 | 16,253,053.11 | 3,504 | 7,439 |
| 12 | 2017/2018 Q4 | 100,165 | 16,131,540.92 | 2,668 | 7,423 |
| 13 | 2018/2019 Q1 | 102,824 | 16,719,936.04 | 2,659 | 8,199 |
| 14 | 2018/2019 Q2 | 101,280 | 16,285,567.63 | -1,544 | 7,287 |
| 15 | 2018/2019 Q3 | 105,471 | 17,442,794.65 | 4,191 | 7,974 |
| 16 | 2018/2019 Q4 | 108,956 | 17,371,125.38 | 3,485 | 8,791 |
| 17 | 2019/2020 Q1 | 113,703 | 18,094,656.74 | 4,747 | 10,879 |
| 18 | 2019/2020 Q2 | 115,130 | 18,169,732.84 | 1,427 | 13,850 |
| 19 | 2019/2020 Q3 | 120,855 | 19,096,651.23 | 5,725 | 15,384 |
| 20 | 2019/2020 Q4 | 125,811 | 19,913,957.75 | 4,956 | 16,855 |
| 21 | 2020/2021 Q1 | 117,737 | 18,312,206.39 | -8,074 | 4,034 |
| 22 | 2020/2021 Q2 | 121,160 | 18,618,798.01 | 3,423 | 6,030 |
| 23 | 2020/2021 Q3 | 129,947 | 20,427,542.59 | 8,787 | 9,092 |
| 24 | 2020/2021 Q4 | 131,788 | 20,077,278.45 | 1,841 | 5,977 |
| 25 | 2021/2022 Q1 | 138,947 | 21,298,271.02 | 7,159 | 21,210 |
| 26 | 2021/2022 Q2 | 141,170 | 20,869,949.81 | 2,223 | 20,010 |
| 27 | 2021/2022 Q3 | 149,362 | 21,962,452.45 | 8,192 | 19,415 |
| 28 | 2021/2022 Q4 | 157,828 | 22,417,465.81 | 8,466 | 26,040 |
| 29 | 2022/2023 Q1 | 166,420 | 24,178,146.49 | 8,592 | 27,473 |
| 30 | 2022/2023 Q2 | 169,952 | 24,596,811.72 | 3,532 | 28,782 |
| 31 | 2022/2023 Q3 | 180,134 | 26,464,914.91 | 10,182 | 30,772 |
| 32 | 2022/2023 Q4 | 190,804 | 10,670 | ||
| 33 | 2023/2024 Q1 | 201,458 | 10,654 |
Prescriptions Data Source: NHS Business Services Authority: Quarterly Releases and Annual Releases
Incidence Information: See ADHD UK’s ADHD Incidence Page
Last updated: 12th March 2023