E-DRUG: Scottish prescribing quality
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[copied from DRUGINFO, a South African based E=drugs list;WB]
Hi all
Much of the NDP is based on an assumption that prescribing in this
country could be improved - be that by the introduction of generic
name prescribing rather than trade name, or by increasing the
rationality of prescribing. At the time of writing the policy, there
was little large scale evidence from SA studies to back that
assumption. However, numerous smaller studies (e.g. in teaching
hospitals) many of which had been presented at local SAAHIP
conferences, pointed to the potential savings that could be made.
Now, as we face the task of reviewing the policy, we still lack large
scale studies in either the public or private sectors, or a health
management information system which will allow for such data
collection in the public sector. In the private sector, the claims
databases of the various medical aids and the benefit management
companies are a wonderful source of data.
The latest BMJ has an article about the potential savings that could
be made in Scotland if GP prescribing were optimised. Read the
article at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/319/7214/873/b
The full report can also be accessed in PDF format from
http://www.accounts-commission.gov.uk/subindex.htm
Of particular note was the fact that 20 million pounds is still being
spent on drugs which are labelled in the BNF as "less suitable for
prescribing" or "of limited value". Makes one think of the millions
spent here on cough mixtures of dubious benefit.
Any comments?
Andy