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Table 2 Change in the prescription rate of medications by therapeutic class

From: Drugs utilization profile in England and Wales in the past 15 years: a secular trend analysis

Therapeutic class

Rate of prescribing in 2004 per 100,000 persons (95% CI)

Rate of prescribing in 2019 per 100,000 persons (95% CI)

Percentage change from 2004 – 2019

Gastro-intestinal system medications

103,465.69 (103,439.86 – 103,491.52)

180,617.77 (180,586.84 – 180,648.69)

74.6%

Cardiovascular system medications

407,305.61 (407,263.94 – 407,347.28)

584,695.14 (584,655.52 – 584,734.76)

43.6%

Respiratory system medications

102,509.91 (102,484.19 – 102,535.64)

130,550.51 (130,523.43 – 130,577.60)

27.4%

Central nervous system medications

247,629.78 (247,593.18 – 247,666.39)

381,689.81 (381,650.75 – 381,728.86)

54.1%

Infections medications

82,616.61 (82,606.44 – 82,626.77)

74,498.74 (74,487.66 – 74,509.82)

-9.8%

Endocrine system medications

109,310.42 (109,283.96 – 109,336.88)

200,804.09 (200,771.88 – 200,836.29)

83.7%

Obstetrics, gynaecology, and urinary-tract disorders medications

32,262.91 (32,250.38 – 32,275.45)

54,914.09 (54,901.44 – 54,926.74)

70.2%

Malignant disease and immunosuppression medications

8,029.08 (8,021.80 – 8,036.37)

8,385.11 (8,378.07 – 8,392.16)

4.4%

Nutrition and blood-related products

42,954.03 (42,936.83 – 42,971.22)

108,515.77 (108,490.76 – 108,540.77)

152.6%

Musculoskeletal and joint diseases medications

59,759.91 (59,746.76 – 59,773.06)

56,369.73 (56,357.12 – 56,382.34)

-5.7%

Eye medications

31,691.22 (31,678.75 – 31,703.70)

33,348.64 (33,336.65 – 33,360.62)

5.2%

Ear, nose, and oropharynx medications

18,844.39 (18,833.90 – 18,854.88)

20,726.21 (20,715.90 – 20,736.51)

10.0%

Skin medications

69,938.78 (69,926.49 – 69,951.08)

57,095.46 (57,082.88 – 57,108.05)

-18.4%

Immunological products and vaccines

27,124.69 (27,112.77 – 27,136.62)

22,835.83 (22,825.15 – 22,846.50)

-15.8%

Anaesthesia

1,652.72 (1,649.30 – 1,656.14)

3,091.59 (3,087.19 – 3,095.99)

87.1%