Multiple Psychotropics Prescribing

Identifying Attributes

Care Settings
Primary Care
Country
United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man
Publishing Organisation
National Health Service (NHS): GP Practices
Type of Quality Indicator
Outcome
IOM Quality Dimension
Safety
Domain
Medications and Medication Management

Defining Attributes

Definition

Number of unique patients prescribed multiple psychotropics per 1,000 patients.

Numerator

Number of unique patients prescribed a combination of at least one antidepressant and at least one antipsychotic.

Denominator

Maximum monthly patient list size in the time period of the numerator.

Exclusions

Practices with a numerator or a denominator below 10 have been excluded from the analysis.

Use of Risk Adjustment
No
Risk Adjustments

None

Stratifications

Collection and Reporting Attributes

Type of Data Collection
Standardised clinical data
Data Collection Methods

Numerator - ePACT2, NHS Business Services Authority; Denominator – Patients Registered at a GP Practice, NHS Digital

Frequency of Data Collection
Frequency of Data Collection in Days
Reporting Methods
Reporting Frequency
Reporting Frequency in Days
Indicator Has Recommended Targets
No

Source and Reference Attributes

Evidence Source

Allen et al. Association between regulator inspection and ratings on primary care prescribing: an observational study in England 2014 to 2019

Link to Measurement Tools
Quality Indicator Confirmed to be Part of a Program Used to Monitor Quality and Safety of Care Among Older People at a Population-Level between 2012-2022
Yes
Assessed by the Australian Consortium for Aged Care Collaborators as Generally Containing Good Properties (Importance and Scientific Acceptability)
No
Australian Consortium for Aged Care Endorsed
No
Can the Quality Indicator be Readily Implemented at a Population Level in Australia Given its Current Data Landscape?
Implementation of this quality indicator was not assessed.
Identified by PHARMA-Care Project
No
Upload Date
31 March 2026