BACKGROUND: Repeat prescriptions for acid suppression therapy represent an important burden on health care resources. AIM: To determine the prevalence of acid suppression therapy and its indications by general practitioners (GPs) in a larger sample of practices than previous studies. METHOD: Practices in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were invited to identify the number of patients on repeat prescription for acid suppression drugs in their practice, to review the indication for treatment in a sample of 50 patients, and to indicate the mode of review of these patients. RESULTS: Out of 77 practices, 42 (55%) participated in the study. Overall, 5% of patients were authorized to receive a repeat prescription for acid suppression drugs. Repeat rates varied between practices, from 1.68% to 11.11%. Repeat rates increased with age and were higher in men than in women. Only 41% of patients had a proven diagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or peptic ulcer. A review of notes was the most frequent way (36%) stated by GPs to review acid suppression therapy. CONCLUSION: The repeat rate found in our study was higher than that found in previous studies. A high proportion of older patients in Cornwall, as well as a continuing increase in the prescription of acid suppression drugs, may account for these results.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Quality indicators for general practice.

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Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed1999

County-wide survey of the repeat prescription of hypnotics.

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Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Morbidity, deprivation, and antidepressant prescribing in general practice.

BACKGROUND: Although the link between depression, unemployment, and measures of deprivation and morbidity has been previously documented, the relationship between general practice prescribing of antidepressants, morbidity, and the social demography of general practice populations is poorly understood. AIM: To consider whether morbidity and the social demography of general practice populations influence the prescribing costs of individual practices. METHOD: Data were analysed, using a forward stepwise regression procedure, of all 78 practices served by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority. Data on prescribing for antidepressants were provided by the Prescription Pricing Authority for the period from July to December 1995 and converted into defined daily doses (DDDs) to standardize for the variation in prescribing practice between general practitioners. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation exists between the rates of prescribing DDDs of antidepressants by general practices and the prevalence of permanent sickness in the areas in which these practices serve. CONCLUSION: Demonstrating an association between morbidity and prescribing rates for depression may prove helpful in setting prescribing budgets.

Antidepressive Agents↗

PubMed1999