• Scand J Prim Health Care · Jun 2000

    Wide variation in the number of different drugs prescribed by general practitioners. A prescription database study.

    • L Bjerrum and U Bergman.
    • Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense.
    • Scand J Prim Health Care. 2000 Jun 1;18(2):94-8.

    ObjectivesTo investigate the number of different drugs prescribed per dispensing unit and to analyse the influence of practice characteristics on this number.DesignRegister analysis based on the Odense Pharmacoepidemiological Database (OPED).SettingGeneral practices in the County of Funen, Demnark.Subjects173 general practices (99 single-handed and 74 group practices).Main Outcome MeasuresNumber of different drugs prescribed per dispensing unit.ResultsThe number of different drugs prescribed per dispensing unit varied nearly fourfold (range 102-381) and four practice characteristics were able to predict 74% of this variation. Practices with several doctors, a high number of patients listed per doctor, a high percentage of elderly individuals, and a heavy workload showed the highest number of different drugs prescribed.ConclusionAs the quality of drug prescribing is associated with the use of a limited number of drugs, it is suggested that GPs should agree on a formulary containing the most essential drugs in primary health care.

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