In Focus report - Phenoxymethylpenicillin prescribing in Wales

The All Wales Therapeutics and Toxicology Centre (AWTTC) produce the National Prescribing Indicators (NPIs). The NPIs show how the different health boards in Wales prescribe certain medicines and highlight any differences in prescribing patterns. They are developed to promote rational prescribing of medicines in Wales and are reviewed every three years. The choice of indicators is evidence-based, and the indicators are designed to be clear and easily understood by prescribers and healthcare professionals.

The indicators allow comparison of current prescribing practice against an agreed standard of quality.

NHS Wales network users can access the majority of the data used in this report via the interactive Server for Prescribing Information and Reporting (SPIRA) dashboards.

In Focus report: Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V). This In Focus report is a standalone report looking at prescribing of phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) across Wales. Although Penicillin V is not monitored as part of the NPIs, antimicrobial stewardship is one of the priority areas. This report only looks at prescribing of Penicillin V 250mg tablets and includes items prescribed by GP practices and community pharmacy supply, via the Sore Throat Test and Treat (STTT) Service. It examines percentage of Penicillin V prescribed as various quantities as a proxy for course duration by health board. Quantities included in this report were:

• 40 tablets (assumed to be a 5-day course for sore throat),
• 80 tablets (assumed to be a 10-day course for sore throat),
• 56 tablets (7-day course for sore throat, or 28-day prescribing for prophylaxis),
• 112, 168 and 224 combined (56 days, 84 days and 112 days respectively for prophylaxis).

(Published: April 2026)