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Version: 1.0.0 | Published: 29 Jul 2026 | Updated: 0 days ago

Medicines in Acute and Chronic Care Scotland (MACCS)

Dataset

Documentation

Associated Media:
https://www.researchdata.scot/media/ritjyy22/maccs-data-dictionary-v10.xlsx
Description:
MACCS resource is a national individual-level medicines dataset for adults (18 years of age and older), derived from routinely collected prescribing and medicine-related data held by Public Health Scotland (PHS). It integrates data from the Hospital Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (HEPMA), Prescribing Information System (PIS), and Homecare Medicines (HCM) datasets, which are linked at the individual level to eleven other national clinical records; including Scottish Morbidity Records (SMR00/01/02/04/06), laboratory data and mortality records; using the unique NHS Scotland person identifier. Data are curated, harmonised and pre-linked within the National Safe Haven and accessed by approved researchers through secure Trusted Research Environments.

Coverage

Spatial

Spatial Coverage:
United Kingdom,Scotland

Temporal

Start Date:
01 April 2004
End Date:
09 March 2026
Frequency:
Irregular
Distribution Release Date:
30 September 2025

Provenance

Source:
EPR
Purpose:
Administrative; Care
Collection Situation:
Prescribing - Community pharmacy, Prescribing - Hospital

Access and Governance

Usage

Condition of Access:
  • General research use
  • Project-specific restrictions
  • Research-specific restrictions
Condition of Use:
  • Disclosure control
  • Institution-specific restrictions
  • Project-specific restrictions
Resource Creator:
Public Health Scotland

Access

Access Rights:
https://publichealthscotland.scot/services/data-research-and-innovation-services/electronic-data-research-and-innovation-service-edris/services-we-offer/
Access Service:
Scottish National Safe Haven / Trusted Research Environment: https://publichealthscotland.scot/services/data-research-and-innovation-services/electronic-data-research-and-innovation-service-edris/national-safe-haven-nsh/
Data Controller:
Public Health Scotland
Access Request Cost:
https://publichealthscotland.scot/services/data-research-and-innovation-services/electronic-data-research-and-innovation-service-edris/cost-of-services/
Data Processor:
Public Services Delivery Scotland

Format and Standards

Languages:
en
Formats:
  • text
  • csv

Observations

Statistical Population
Population Description
Population Size
Measured Property
Observation Date
Persons
5500000
People
01 July 2026

Origin

Name:
Scottish Health Data
URL:
https://healthdatagateway.org
Link:
https://healthdatagateway.org/dataset/1852