Record number of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacies in England

17 October 2025

The UK’s NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has released its latest General Pharmaceutical Services report. The report shows the services provided by community pharmacies and appliance contracts in England over the last ten years, along with their associated costs.

The figures show that community pharmacies across England dispensed 1.16 billion prescription items in 2024/25, representing a 4% increase from the previous year and continuing an upward trend that has lasted for four consecutive years.

Despite handling record prescription volumes, the number of community pharmacies that submitted prescriptions to the NHSBSA for processing has fallen to 11,098 – the lowest level since 2015/16. 111 appliance contractors submitted prescriptions to NHSBSA for processing.

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