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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Prescriptions of benzodiazepines in the municipality of Nykøbing Falster. A study of prescriptions with reference to prescription habits in general practice].

An investigation of general practitioners' patterns of prescribing benzodiazepines has been carried out in Nykøbing Falster county. The results are in accordance with other such investigations, and show that women are given such prescriptions twice as often as men, and that the consumption increases with age. The doctors' prescription practices are seen to vary, and the results also demonstrate that the general recommendations regarding use of benzodiazepines are not followed by the prescribing doctors.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Changes in prescription patterns for peripheral and cerebral vasoactive drugs before and after establishing prescription standards in France].

OBJECTIVES: Assess changes in the number of prescriptions for peripheral and cerebral vasoactive drugs for the treatment of lower limb arteritis and cerebrovascular disease since the promulgation in 1995 of prescription standards for the treatment of lower limb arteritis. Assess compliance to prescription standards with a detailed analysis of patient features, prescriptions written for lower limb arteritis, cerebrovascular disease and concomitant diseases and evaluate changes in treatment costs for lower limb arteritis and cerebrovascular disease as well as cost of the full prescription, including treatments for associated diseases. METHODS: This study was based on data recorded during the Permanent Study of Medical Prescriptions conducted from March 1994 to February 1995 and from March 1995 to February 1996 by the IMS. Prescription costs were established from the National Description Files of the IMS. Treatment costs were expressed as public price (FF) tax included. Prescriptions meeting the following criteria were selected for each period: prescriptions written by general practitioners for drugs with peripheral and cerebral vasoactivity (excepting calcium antagonists with a cerebral target) belonging to the Anatomic Therapeutic Classes C4A1 of the European Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Association, Bromly 1996; prescriptions for diagnoses 447.6 (arteritis) and 437.9 (cerebrovascular disease) according to the 9th WHO classification. A random sample of 500 prescriptions was selected to calculate costs. RESULTS: Since the advent of the prescription standards in 1995, prescriptions have dropped off by 6.3% for lower limb arteritis and by 14.8% for cerebrovascular disease. There was a 3.7 point decline in the percentage of multiple prescriptions of vasoactive drugs for lower limb arteritis (21.7% prior to March 1995 versus 18% after promulgation of the prescription standards, p > 0.1) and a 1.8 increase in the percentage of multiple prescriptions for cerebrovascular disease (14% prior to March 1995 and 15.8% after promulgation of the prescription standards, p > 0.1). For the treatment of lower limb arteritis, prescription costs fell by a mean 9% per prescription and for the treatment of cerebrovascular disease they rose by a mean 7% per prescription. The price rise, due to multiple prescriptions of vasoactive drugs was 190 FF per prescription for lower limb arteritis and 104 FF per prescription for cerebrovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Despite the retrospective nature of this study where confounding factors could not be controlled, our findings are in agreement with those reported earlier suggesting that cost containment policy implemented by the prescription standards has had little efficacy. In patients with arterial disease of the lower limbs, the percentage of prescriptions not complying with the recommended standards decreased by one-third to one-half over a 2-year period since the prescription standards were first announced in 1994.

Arteritis↗
PubMed2003

[Drug prescriptions for the elderly. Results of a survey on 8,809 prescriptions obtained by coding in the North-East area of France].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prescriptions in patients aged over 60 and more in the North-East area of France during a summer and a winter month, to analyze the impact of the seasonal factor and the number of prescriptions, and to classify in frequency the families and classes of medicinal products prescribed. METHODS: This study was conducted on two samples of prescriptions presented for reimbursement to the public health scheme of the Meurthe-et-Moselle, Vosges and Meuse areas, i.e. 4409 prescriptions (717 men, 1244 women) in July 1998 and 4400 prescriptions (772 men and 1335 women) in January 1999. The prescriptions concerned non-hospitalised persons aged over 60. Each prescription was identified according to the international medication classification codes, and classified according to the anatomical, therapeutic and chemical classification. RESULTS: The survey in July 1998 concerned 1961 patients and that of January 1999 2107 patients, representing respectively 4409 and 4400 prescriptions. The number of prescriptions of July and January were comparable (4409 vs 4400), but the number of prescription lines was greater in the winter month (3.51 +/- 2.3 vs 3.43 +/- 2.3; p<0.001). Among the prescriptions, 63% were for women and the number of prescription lines was greater than those for men (3.54 vs 3.24 in July, p<0.01; 3.59 vs 3.35 in January, p<0.01). Around 90% of the prescriptions were drawn-up by general practitioners. Ophthalmology was the specialty that prescribed the greatest number of prescriptions. The mean amount reimbursed for a prescription was higher in men with 32.10 in July (26.79 in women) and 32.28 in January (27.13 in women). Independently of age, gender and month, the most prescribed medication families in decreasing order were: cardio-vascular system (35%), central nervous system (15%), and digestive and metabolic system (14.5%). Prescriptions for the family of respiratory system treatments were greater in January than in July (9.4% vs 6.1%, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: In this study the women consumed more medicinal products than the men, but the mean cost of reimbursement per prescription was higher in the men. The most prescribed class of medication concerned the cardiovascular system. The seasonal factor was characterised by an increase in the number of lines per prescription and a greater prevalence of respiratory system products in January

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Concomitant prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antacids in the outpatient setting of a medical center in taiwan: a prescription database study.

OBJECTIVE: Although antacids were ineffective in preventing serious gastrointestinal complications caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), many physicians in Taiwan still prescribe antacids concomitantly with NSAIDs. A survey of an outpatient prescription database was performed to measure the extent of such a combination and to explore its associated factors. METHODS: One month of the outpatient prescription data in the polyclinic of a medical center in Taiwan served to estimate the frequency of concomitant antacid prescription with NSAIDs. The age of patients, duration of NSAID prescriptions, concomitant prescription of corticosteroid or ulcer-healing drugs, and inter-departmental variations were compared between the NSAID prescriptions with and without antacids. RESULTS: Antacids were present in 87.3% of prescriptions with NSAIDs but only in 34.4% of prescriptions without NSAIDs (P<0.001). The prescription of antacids was significantly associated with the prescription of NSAIDs. The age of patients and duration of NSAID prescriptions did not influence the co-prescription of NSAIDs and antacids. Significant inter-departmental variations were noted in which the surgeons and orthopedic doctors tended to co-prescribe antacids with NSAIDs more often than the internists. CONCLUSION: The physicians in Taiwan tended to prescribe NSAIDs together with antacids. The rationality of this co-prescription deserves further investigation.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed2001

[Repeat antibiotic prescriptions following treatment with sulfonamide or pivmecillinam. A survey of prescriptions among women aged 15-50 years in the county of Nordjylland].

INTRODUCTION: A sulphonamide is the antibiotic of first choice for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in Denmark. However, this recommendation has been challenged. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 9,224 women, aged 15 to 50 years, who were residents in the County of North Jutland, Denmark. During 1997-1998 they had handed in a prescription from a general practitioner for either sulphonamide or pivmecillinam, but no other prescriptions for antibiotics during the preceding six months. Any antibiotic prescription handed in within the ensuing 31-day period was recorded, with the exception of macrolides. The proportion of women with a repeat prescription was a proxy for therapeutic failure. RESULTS: Eight thousand two hundred and sixty-nine women (89.6%) had handed in a prescription for a sulphonamide and 955 (10.4%) a prescription for pivmecillinam. A total of 1,490 women (16.2%) handed in a repeat prescription, i.e. 16.0% (95% confidence limits [CI] 15.2-16.8%) of women treated with sulphonamide and 17.8% (95% CI 15.4-20.4%) of women treated with pivmecillinam. The relative risk of a repeat prescription was 1.11 (95% CI 0.95-1.31) for women with a primary prescription for pivmecillinam, as compared to women with a sulphonamide prescription. Women who had handed in a sulphonamide prescription for less than three defined daily doses had an increased risk of a repeat prescription. DISCUSSION: The proportion of women with a repeat prescription did not differ much between women treated with sulphonamide and those treated with pivmecillinam. Controlled clinical trials should be performed before revision of current Danish recommendations are considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Prescription and non-prescription analgesic use among the US adult population: results from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).

PURPOSE: To estimate prescription and non-prescription analgesic use in a nationally representative sample of US adults. METHODS: Data collected during the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994), for persons 17 years and older were analyzed (n = 20,050). During the household interview, respondents reported use, in the last month, of prescription and non-prescription analgesics. RESULTS: An estimated 147 million adults reported monthly analgesic use, Prescription analgesic use was 9% while non-prescription use was 76%. Females were more likely than males to use prescription (11 vs. 7%, p < 0.001) and non-prescription (81 vs. 71%, p < 0.001) analgesics. Across race-ethnicity groups, males (approximately 8%) and females (11-13%) had similar age-adjusted prescription analgesic use. Non-prescription analgesic use was higher among non-Hispanic whites than non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican-Americans for males (76 vs. 53% (p < 0.001) and 59% (p < 0.001), respectively) and females (85 vs. 68% (p < 0.001) and 71% (p < 0.001), respectively). With increasing age, prescription analgesic use increased whereas non-prescription use decreased. Approximately 30% of adults used multiple analgesics during a 1-month period. This was more common among females (35%) than males (25%, p < 0.001) and among younger (17-44 years, 33%) rather than older age groups (45+ years, 26%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Analgesic use among US adults is extremely high, specifically of non-prescription analgesics. Given this, health care providers and consumers should be aware of potential adverse effects and monitor use closely.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Diagnostic investigation rates and use of prescription and non-prescription medications amongst dyspeptics: a population-based study of 2300 Australians.

BACKGROUND: : There is limited knowledge of the diagnostic investigation rates and use of prescription and non-prescription drugs amongst dyspeptics. AIM: : To assess the investigation rates and use of prescription and non-prescription anti-ulcer medications amongst dyspeptics in the population. METHODS: : A cross-sectional survey was performed of 2300 Australians. RESULTS: : Of 748 dyspeptics, 422 (56%) had consulted a doctor regarding dyspepsia at some time in their life. Of the consulters, 64% had undergone investigations at some time: 37% an endoscopy, 54% a barium meal and 27% both. A diagnosis of peptic ulcer was reported by 31% of those investigated. The symptom profile of gastroscopy patients differed significantly from that of uninvestigated dyspeptics. Of the consulters, 36% had taken anti-ulcer prescription drugs in the last 3 months: Histamine-2 receptor antagonists (73% of prescriptions), proton pump inhibitors (17%), cytoprotectants (5%) and prokinetic drugs (5%). Antacids were taken by 30% of non-consulting dyspeptics, 44% of consulters not on prescription drugs and 58% of dyspeptics taking prescription drugs. Advancing age, but not gender, was associated with diagnostic investigation and prescription and non-prescription drug usage. CONCLUSIONS: : There are high rates of diagnostic investigation amongst dyspeptics who consult doctors. Many individuals with dyspepsia decide to self-medicate with antacids regardless of consulting or prescriptions, suggesting that current management is suboptimal.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Online support functions of prescription order system and prescription audit in an integrated hospital information system.

The role of the online prescription support functions of a prescription order entry system was analysed and the results of the prescription audit by pharmacists were examined. In the Kochi Medical School Hospital, an online prescription order system has been developed as part of an integrated hospital information system named IMIS (the Integrated Medical Information System), in which all the physicians enter their prescription orders into online display terminals. The prescription order entry system is provided with prescription support functions, which check the entered prescription data, issue warnings, and offer information about drugs or patients. The prescription order system reduces the incidence of simple prescription mistakes and greatly decreases the cases of inquiries by pharmacists. However, results of the analysis show that such functions as warnings of double order and repeated prescription of a drug do not work as well as expected. The system would thus require some kind of intelligence like that of the auditing pharmacists or that of the physicians with accurate knowledge of clinical pharmacology.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1989

[Errors in prescriptions and control of prescriptions].

In Denmark, there is a tradition for strict control and safety measures in connection with prescribing and dispensing medicine in order to avoid undesirable or incorrect intake of medicine. The basis for this is the circular on dispensing from the Danish Board of Health which provides guidelines for composition of prescriptions by doctors and the control function by pharmacists. The object of this investigation is to describe the material of incorrect prescriptions which pharmacists are required to collect in connection with control of prescriptions. The investigation is based on material collected during a period of one month in the County of Arhus. The commonest type of erroneous prescription is incorrect statement of the strength of the preparation. This was found in 44.3% of the collected prescriptions. Another common problem is absence of the endorsement "for a child" and absence of the age of the child in prescriptions for these. In the material of incorrect prescriptions, statistically significantly more prescriptions were written by hospital doctors and secretaries. In contrast to ordinary prescriptions, telephone prescriptions are characterized a low frequency of errors as telephone prescriptions only constituted 8.2% of the erroneous material as compared with 47.8% in the conventional investigation. The authors consider that in a future revision of the circular on dispensing the requirement concerning repeated dispensing should be made more lenient and the indications and declarations of age should be more strict. Similarly, reduction in the synonymous preparations and the number of strengths should be reduced in order to facilitate clarity for the prescribing doctor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Denmark↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prescription use behavior among medicare beneficiaries with capped prescription benefits.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the strategies Medicare beneficiaries adopt to manage their out-of-pocket prescription costs in a prescription drug plan with maximum (.capped.) benefits and to evaluate differences in the likelihood of participating in any one strategy before and after exhaustion of capped prescription benefits. METHODS: Self-administered surveys were mailed to 786 Medicare+Choice members with capped annual prescription drug benefits of 500 dollars or 1,000 dollars. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-one surveys were returned, for a 28% response rate. More than 70% of respondents participated in at least one strategy to manage prescription costs. The most frequently reported strategies included obtaining samples from their physician (45%), reducing spending on food and/or clothing (37%), shopping around at other pharmacies to obtain medications at a lower cost (29%), taking less than the prescribed amount (24%), receiving financial assistance from family or friends (17%), and stopping one or more regular-use medications (15%). More than two thirds of those who participated in at least one strategy participated in 2 or more strategies. While the combinations of strategies suggested prudence on the part of respondents (e.g., obtaining samples, shopping around), a subset of respondents participated in strategies that would be considered less desirable (e.g., stopping medications and taking less than prescribed). Finally, more than 35% indicated that they did not know their cap amount, and 24% did not know whether they had exhausted their benefit in 2000. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the difficulties many Medicare beneficiaries face in managing prescription costs, even those with some coverage for prescription costs. In the design of prescription coverage for the elderly, policy makers should recognize the impact that capped benefits have on member behavior. The apparent high rate of reliance upon prescription drug samples to reduce prescription drug expenditures for many Medicare+Choice members raises the question of whether prescription drug samples may discourage the prescribing of lower-cost therapeutic alternatives.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

[Drug policy in Slovakia and its reflection in prescriptions. 1. Prescriptions for mass-produced drugs according to physician specialty].

The present paper aims at pharmacoeconomic analysis of prescriptions of physicians according to their specialization. The database was based on medical prescriptions from four pharmacies. Altogether 133,856 prescriptions were evaluated in two periods (the years 1999 and 2000) with different legislative regulations of the conditions for prescription of drugs from the funds of health insurance (fully covered drugs, drugs with participation of the policy holder, prescription and indication limitation). The results show that 1.45 kinds of drugs and 2.28 packages of mass-produced drugs were prescribed per 1 prescription. The average value of drugs per one prescription was 370.28 Slovak crowns. General practitioners prescribed 50.5% of prescriptions, the value of prescribed drugs being 42.0%. As to specialization, the highest share of prescriptions (36.5%) was written by pediatricians, the highest value of drugs as expressed per 1 prescription was prescribed by diabetologists (1340.20 Slovak crowns). When comparing the indices under study in two periods, in the second one (the year 2000) the financially expressed consumption of drugs continued to show an increasing trend (in the case of the value of 1 prescription by 10.6%).

Drug Utilization↗
PubMed2002

The effect of computer-assisted prescription writing on emergency department prescription errors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether computer-assisted prescription writing reduces the frequency of prescription errors in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: A pre-post retrospective analysis was used to compare errors between handwritten (HW) and computer-assisted (CA) ED prescriptions. Prescriptions were reviewed for pharmacist clarifications. A clarification was defined as an error if missing information, incorrect information, incorrect dose, non-formulary medication, or illegibility was the reason for clarification. The HW and CA error rates were compared using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: During the pre-intervention period, there were 7,036 patient visits with 2,326 HW ED prescriptions filled for 1,459 patients. There were 91 clarifications, with a rate of 3.9%. There were 54 HW errors, for an error rate of 2.3%. During the post-intervention period, there were 7,845 patient visits with 1,594 CA prescriptions filled for 1,056 patients. There were 13 clarifications, with a clarification rate of 0.8%, and 11 errors, for a CA error rate of 0.7%. The CA prescriptions were substantially less likely to contain an error [OR 0.31 (95% CI = 0.10 to 0.36)] or to require pharmacist clarification [OR 0.19 (95% CI = 0.10 to 0.36)] than were the HW prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-assisted prescriptions were more than three times less likely to contain errors and five times less likely to require pharmacist clarification than handwritten prescriptions.

Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems↗
PubMed1992

Multiple medication use in the elderly. Use of prescription and non-prescription drugs in an Australian community setting.

OBJECTIVE: To document the extent of polypharmacy or multiple medication use in the elderly. DESIGN: Cross-sectional examination of an age cohort of a community. SETTING: Community-based study in Dubbo, NSW, in 1988-1989. SUBJECTS: All non-institutionalised residents aged 60 years and over, numbering 1237 men and 1568 women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment of use of prescription and non-prescription drugs, recent hospitalisation, years of education, psychosocial variables. RESULTS: 18% of men and 25% of women were currently using three or more classes of prescription drugs. The corresponding values for two or more classes of non-prescription drugs were 29% and 44%. Of those who were using multiple prescription drugs 56% of men and 76% of women were also using multiple non-prescription drugs. In a multiple logistic model, the following possible predictors of multiple drug use were included: hospitalisation in the last six months, age, sex, depression, life satisfaction and education. Multiple prescription drug use was significantly predicted by recent hospitalisation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63-3.56), increasing age (e.g. 70-79 years versus 60-69 years; OR = 2.54; CI, 1.97-3.25), female sex (OR = 1.59; CI, 1.25-2.01) and increasing depression (e.g. highest tertile of depression scale versus lowest; OR = 2.52; CI, 1.84-3.42). Multiple non-prescription drug use was significantly predicted by female sex (OR = 2.38; CI, 1.95-2.92) and increasing depression (OR = 2.77; CI, 2.16-3.56). For prescription items, non-prescription items, and both categories in combination levels of use 20% above the population average have been documented. CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy in the elderly population appears to be predicted by recent hospitalisation, increasing age, female sex and increasing depression. There is potential for drug-drug interaction to occur, but the findings suggest target areas for preventive action.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Absolute contraindications in relation to potential drug interactions in outpatient prescriptions: analysis of the first five million prescriptions in 1999.

OBJECTIVES: Adverse drug interactions increase morbidity and mortality. To prevent these, situations leading to adverse prescriptions must be clarified. This study quantifies and analyses prescriptions with potential adverse drug interactions in primary health care in the north of France over a 3-month period. METHODS: All prescriptions administered between 1 January and 31 March 1999 were analysed to identify potential interactions amongst drugs appearing on the same prescription sheet. The regional French healthcare database was compiled to further classify contra-indications. RESULTS: There were 5,358,374 prescriptions administered to 44% of the overall population of the Nord-Pas de Calais area (1,754,372 patients/3,990,167 general population). There were 14,390 prescriptions classified as either absolute (26%) or relative contraindications (74%). Nine drug categories accounted for most of the absolute contraindications: dopaminergic antiparkinsonians, neuroleptic agents, migraine treatments (such as ergot alkaloids, sumatriptan and other triptan derivatives), prokinetic drugs (cisapride), antibacterial drugs (macrolides), antifungals (imidazoles), antiarrhythmics, betablockers and analgesics (opioids and floctafenine). In 54% of patients exposed, the incurred risk was either QT prolongation/Torsade de Pointes or antagonism of dopaminergic antiparkinson agents with dopamine receptor antagonists prescribed as antipsychotic agents. CONCLUSIONS: Among a non-selected population of ambulatory outpatients, the number of quarterly prescriptions with contra-indications with potentially harmful drug interaction was 27 in 10,000 prescriptions. This would extrapolate to nearly 200,000 contra-indications on the same-prescription sheets in France in the first quarter of 1999.

Contraindications↗
PubMed2003

Absolute contraindications in relation to potential drug interactions in outpatient prescriptions: analysis of the first five million prescriptions in 1999.

OBJECTIVES: Adverse drug interactions increase morbidity and mortality. To prevent these, situations leading to adverse prescriptions must be clarified. This study quantifies and analyses prescriptions with potential adverse drug interactions in primary health care in the North of France over a 3-month period. METHODS: All prescriptions administered between 1 January 1999 and 31 March 1999 were analysed to identify potential interactions amongst drugs appearing on the same prescription sheet. The regional French healthcare database was compiled to further classify contraindications. RESULTS: There were 5,358,374 prescriptions administered to 44% of the overall population of the Nord-Pas de Calais area (1,754,372 patients per 3,990,167 general population). There were 14,390 prescriptions classified as either absolute (26%) or relative contraindications (74%). Nine drug categories accounted for most of the absolute contraindications: dopaminergic antiparkinsonians, neuroleptic agents, migraine treatments (such as ergot alkaloids, sumatriptan and other triptan derivatives), prokinetic drugs (cisapride), antibacterial drugs (macrolides), antifungals (imidazoles), antiarrhythmics, beta-blockers and analgesics (opioids and floctafenine). In 54% of patients exposed, the incurred risk was either QT prolongation/Torsade de Pointes or antagonism of dopaminergic antiparkinson agents with dopamine receptor antagonists prescribed as antipsychotic agents. CONCLUSIONS: Among a non-selected population of ambulatory outpatients, the number of quarterly prescriptions with contraindications with potentially harmful drug interactions is 27 in 10,000 prescriptions. This would extrapolate to nearly 200,000 contraindications on same-prescription sheets in France in the first quarter of 1999.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prescription, dispensation and sustitution of prescription forms of omeprazole].

OBJECTIVE: To verify and quantify, for a given active principle (omeprazole 20 mg) and for selected primary care physicians and pharmacies, the extent to which the drug prescribed on official national health system prescription forms coincides with the drug dispensed or whether the drug was dispensed following the pharmacist's criteria because the prescription was drafted in terms of the official Spanish denomination (OSD). In either case, the cost of the prescription is expressed in terms of the defined daily dose (DDD). METHOD: We reviewed 592 public health service prescriptions for omeprazole 20 mg, prescribed by 56 primary care physicians with a high prescription rate for this active principle, which were dispensed in 16 pharmacies. RESULTS: Prescriptions dispensed according to the physician's prescription (50% of the prescriptions) were cheaper than those expressed in OSD and dispensed as generic drugs by pharmacists using their own criteria (36% of the cases). In all cases of substitution of the prescribed drugs (14% of prescriptions), a generic drug was dispensed and 76% of these were more expensive than the prescribed drug. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that primary care physicians tend to take into account the cost of the drug and to choose cheaper drugs even when these are not generic. When pharmacists substitute the prescribed drug, they tend to dispense a generic drug that is more expensive.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1995

The use of prescription claims databases in pharmacoepidemiological research: the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the prescription claims database in Québec.

Despite the potential benefits of using prescription claims databases for pharmacoepidemiological research, little work has been reported on the nature of available information or its accuracy. The purpose of this study was to describe information contained within the prescription claims database in Québec, and to assess the accuracy of drug information that might be used to monitor drug exposure and physician prescribing. The comprehensiveness of the prescriptions claims database was assessed by examining 1,917,214 records of dispensed prescriptions for a regionally stratified random sample of 65,349 Québec elderly in 1990. We found that values in key fields (individual identifiers, drug, quantity, date dispensed and duration) were missing or out of range in 0-0.4% of records. The accuracy of data were examined in 723 prescriptions filled by 306 elderly patients attending one internal medicine clinic. Of these prescriptions, 83% were filled by the patient and correctly identified the patient and drug and in 89% of these 599 records, the prescribing physician was correctly identified. The quantity and duration of the prescriptions were accurate in 69.1% and 72.1% of records, respectively. We conclude that the prescription claims database in Québec may represent one of the most accurate means of determining drugs dispensed to individuals. There may be limitations in using this database for dosing information.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1998

Prescription and non-prescription drug use: a longitudinal study.

This study examines changes in the lifetime prevalence of prescription and non-prescription drug use in a national longitudinal sample of young adults. Cohort data used in this study are from the National Longitudinal Survey, Youth Cohort (NLSY) who responded to questions on use of prescription drugs for the years 1984 and 1992 (N = 8,771). Results reveal increases in the lifetime prevalence of prescription use of sedatives, transquilizers, and stimulants. Prescription use was higher among women while non-prescription use was higher among men. Non-prescription drug use in 1984 was significantly related to prescription use in 1992.

Adolescent↗