Вы можете использовать ipython или idle для запуска фрагмента кода:
vagrant@vagrant:~$ ipython
Python 3.6.7 (default, Oct 22 2018, 11:32:17)
Type 'copyright', 'credits' or 'license' for more information
IPython 7.4.0 -- An enhanced Interactive Python. Type '?' for help.
In [1]: d = [{'bnfcode': '0101010G0AAABAB', 'items': 2, 'practice': 'N81013', 'bnfname': 'Co-MagaldroxSusp 195mg/220mg/5m
...: l S/F', 'nic': 5.98, 'actcost': 5.56, 'quantity': 1000}, {'bnfcode': '0101010G0AAABAB', 'items': 1, 'practice': '
...: N81029', 'bnfname': 'Co-MagaldroxSusp 195mg/220mg/5ml S/F', 'nic': 2.99, 'actcost': 2.78, 'quantity': 500}, {'bnf
...: code': '0101010G0AAABAB', 'items': 2, 'practice': 'N81088', 'bnfname': 'Co-MagaldroxSusp 195mg/220mg/5ml S/F', 'n
...: ic': 5.98, 'actcost': 5.56, 'quantity': 1000}]
In [2]: sum([i.get('items', 0) for i in d])
Out[2]: 5