Table 1.

Prescribed drug prevalence by BNF main chapter and specific sections

BNF chapter	BNF subsections	BNF classification	Drug examples	Number	Drug prevalence/ 10 000†
2 Cardiovascular system				9384	7289
	2.9	Antiplatelet drugs	Aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole	5044	3918
	2.8	Anticoagulants	Warfarin	669	520
	2.2	Diuretics	Thiazide diuretics	4912	3815
	2.4	β-blockers	Bisoprolol	4034	3133
	2.5	ACE inhibitors or ARB	Ramipril, candesartan	4250	3301
	2.6	nitrates, calcium antagonists	GTN, amlodipine	4984	3817
	2.12	Lipid regulating drugs	Simvastatin	4894	3801
3 Respiratory system				2861	2222
	3.1	Bronchodilators	Salbutamol	2775	2155
	3.2	Corticosteroids	Beclomethasone	2140	1662
	3.6	Oxygen	NA	94	73
4 Central nervous system drugs				7478	5808
	4.7.1	Non-opioid analgesics	Paracetamol	5395	4190
	4.7.2	Opioid analgesics	Codeine, tramadol	855	664
	4.1	Hypnotics and anxiolytics	Diazepam	1180	917
	4.3	Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Tricyclic antidepressants	Fluoxetine, citalopram, amitriptyline	3241	2517
6 Endocrine system				2916	2265
	6.1.1	Insulin	Insulin, humalog	632	491
	6.1.2	Oral antidiabetic drugs	Metformin, gliclazide	2334	1805
10 Musculoskeletal and joint disease				2143	1664
	10.1.1	Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs	Ibuprofen, cyclooxygenase inhibitors	2143	1664

†Population refers to those with one of six chronic conditions (n = 12 875), which included hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoarthritis and depression; drug categories are based on the BNF classification.

ACE, angiotensin-converting-enzyme; ARB, angiotensin II receptor blockers; BNF, British National Formulary; GTN, glyceryl trinitrate; NA, not applicable.