Spend on Prescription ADHD medication (FOI)

​​Request

A

How much did HCS spend on the prescription of ADHD medication in Jersey in 2023?

B

Why does making ADHD medication available through the Health Insurance fund cost £800,000 more? Is this just the increased cost to the Health Insurance fund or does this figure take into account the decreased costs elsewhere?

Response

A

Health and Community Services’ (HCS’) Pharmacy data shows expenditure of £280,000 on ADHD medicines in 2023, using the definition of medicines commonly used in the condition.

B

Community pharmacies are reimbursed at the UK NHSBSA Drug Tariff price. Owing to volumes procured, HCS is able to access medicines at costs typically 10 – 35 % lower than the Drug Tariff price for most common medicines, though this can vary significantly. Where it is necessary to source smaller volume orders from multiple suppliers, pricing is less favourable.

Drug Tariff | NHSBSA.NHS.UK

The figure quoted of £800,000 is taken from a Scrutiny Panel with the Minister for Social Security, and is attributed to a Registered Pharmacist acting as an advisor to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee. This cost calculation is based on a figure of 1,500 people requiring such medications.

Transcript - review of prescription of medication for adhd - minister for social security-14 october 2024.statesassembly.gov.je.pdf​

The current cohort of people receiving ADHD medicines dispensed through HCS Pharmacy is circa 300. HCS is unable to report on the costs which community pharmacies incur in procuring medicines, or the patient numbers used in the advisor’s calculation, though this is similar to the waiting list numbers for ADHD assessments through HCS and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service). ​