Feasibility study of multicentre comparison of NHS hospital pharmacy computer data

Aims This study aims to determine the feasibility of collecting, collating and analysing drug expenditure data from a sample of acute hospitals in Eng land. Methods The hospital pharmacy computer system was used to report on drug ex penditure from 16 hospitals throughout England for a 2 year period. These d ata were analysed as a whole and hospital episode statistics were correlate d to hospital drug costs. Results Hospital outpatient costs were found to be approximately one third of hospital inpatient costs. Cardiovascular drugs accounted for the greates t increase in expenditure for both inpatients and outpatients (25%). The mo st expensive therapeutic area of drug use across all sites was anti-infecti ves. The average daily number of occupied beds explained 55% of the variati on in inpatient expenditure and the number of outpatient (including Acciden t and Emergency) attendances explained 60% of the outpatient drug expenditu re. Conclusions This project has confirmed the feasibility of collecting, colla ting and analysing hospital drug expenditure and identified some interestin g patterns and trends in hospital drug use. Hospital activity is reflected in hospital drug costs.