National Prescribing Indicators
Published on: 1st February 2022 | Updated on: 16th October 2023
National Prescribing Indicators (NPIs) are developed with the aim of promoting rational prescribing. The indicators are evidence-based and are designed to be clear, easily understood and allow health boards, primary care clusters, GP practices and prescribers to compare current prescribing practice against an agreed standard of quality.
For 2022-2023 the National Prescribing Indicators: Supporting Safe and Optimised Prescribing, contain four priority areas:
- Analgesics (including opioid burden, tramadol and gabapentin and pregabalin)
- Anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation
- Antimicrobial stewardship (including total antibacterial items and 4C antimicrobials)
- Decarbonisation of inhalers
The priority areas are also supported by additional indicators falling into the categories of safety and efficiency:
- Safety
- Prescribing Safety Indicators
- Hypnotics and anxiolytics
- Yellow Cards
- Efficiencies
- Best value biological medicines
- Low value for prescribing
The National Prescribing Indicators document provides detailed background information and evidence to support the aims of each indicator, and is available here:
National Prescribing Indicators for 2022–2023
Latest National Prescribing Indicators Report
The National Prescribing Indicators 2022–2023: Analysis of Prescribing Data to March 2023 document has been prepared by the Welsh Analytical Prescribing Support Unit and can be accessed via the link below:
National Prescribing Indicators 2022–2023: Quarterly reports