The number of prescriptions for dementia drugs has more-than-doubled in the last ten years.

Official statistics show that with people living longer and more people diagnosed with the condition the number of prescriptions dispensed has rocketed.

In the Greater Glasgow health board area the number of prescriptions increased from just over 18,000 in 2007 to more than 47,000 in the last year.

The total ingredient cost for the drugs however has fallen hugely.

The health board spent almost £1.8m in 2007 compared to just over half a million pounds in the last year.

It’s estimated there will be nearly 20,000 newly diagnosed cases of dementia a year by 2020.

Despite the increase in prescriptions, the cost burden on the NHS has reduced with the average cost per item decreased to £14.38, compared to £21.57 two years ago.

The rise was mirrored across Scotland with 263,000 prescriptions issued last year. An increase from the 83,643 ten years ago.

The total number of patients receiving drugs for dementia has almost doubled in six years from 135,840 in 2011 to 263,444 last year.

The Conservatives said the increase shows there is an “impending crisis” with more people living longer and being diagnosed with dementia.

Annie Wells, Glasgow Conservative MSP, said: “It’s of course welcome that so many people are living longer.

“But it would be foolish to ignore the challenges that brings for the NHS, and we can see from these figures more and more people are being treated for dementia.

“The Scottish Government will have seen this coming down the track for many years now, so there’s no excuse for it not to be ready.”

“Having been in charge of health and social care for more than a decade, we need to start seeing signs that the SNP has a plan for this impending crisis.”