NHS management of GP prescribing has improved

General Practice (GP) prescribing accounts for 70 per cent of all National Health Service (NHS) spending on drugs in Scotland. This amounts to almost £1 billion a year. Audit Scotland has published Prescribing in general practice in Scotland, its third report on the subject. The report says the health service has improved its management of GP prescribing, and family doctors are getting more support and guidance on their prescribing. Spending fell by 11 per cent in real terms between 2004 and 2011, despite the volume of prescriptions rising by a third during that time.

The report says there is scope for further improvements and potential to save up to £26 million a year without affecting patient care. This could mostly be done through reducing waste and cutting the use of less suitable medicines.

Auditor General for Scotland, Caroline Gardner, said:

"Most people in Scotland get a prescription from their family doctor at some point to treat or prevent an illness or help sustain a good quality of life. The NHS spends almost £1