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The application of prescribing indicators to a primary care prescription database in Ireland

  • Pharmacoepidemiology and Prescription
  • Published:
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To develop appropriate prescribing indicators and apply these to Irish prescription data.

Methods

A postal survey of 145 randomly selected general practitioners working within the Eastern Health Board region of the State-supported General Medical Services scheme in Ireland regarding the applicability of selected prescribing indicators was carried out. Such indicators were then applied to aggregate prescription data.

Results

Prescribing indicators based on agents of questionable efficacy/poor quality prescribing and those based on good prescribing practice were thought to make suitable indicators. Low rates of prescribing were noted for indicators based on drugs of limited efficacy, e.g. cerebral and peripheral vasodilators (rate 3.1 per 1,000 prescriptions), whilst indicators based on drugs associated with good prescribing practice were associated with higher prescribing rates, e.g. the prescription of aspirin in patients receiving nitrate therapy(rate 7.13 per 1,000 patients). However, a low rate of generic prescribing (4.6%) was found amongst general practitioners in the study. The largest variability in prescribing was seen with the prescribing of peripheral and cerebral vasodilators (75th/25th centile=5.6) and the prescription of long-acting sulphonylureas (75th/25th centile=66.6).

Conclusions

Quality indicators based on aggregate prescribing provide valuable information on prescribing standards and should be developed with the close involvement of prescribers.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the GMS (Payments) Board for providing the prescription data on which this study was based. We also wish to acknowledge the support of the Health Research Board of Ireland who provided funding for this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Ward 12, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, Scotland

    D. Williams

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland

    K. Bennett & J. Feely

Authors
  1. D. Williams
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  2. K. Bennett
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  3. J. Feely
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Williams.

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Williams, D., Bennett, K. & Feely, J. The application of prescribing indicators to a primary care prescription database in Ireland. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 61, 127–133 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-004-0876-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-004-0876-3

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