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Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System
Published on: December 11, 2016
Repeat prescribing: which diagnoses, which drugs?
1Drug Utilization research Unit, Whitla Medical Building, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL.
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
|November 26, 2008
Summary
Repeat prescribing practices vary widely among doctors, with inconsistent approaches to managing common conditions. High repeat prescription rates for certain drugs indicate potential issues needing further research.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Repeat prescribing guidelines recommend limiting use to stable, long-term conditions.
- Previous studies on repeat prescribing had small sample sizes and inconsistent definitions.
- Interpractice variation in repeat prescribing practices has not been well-described.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify diagnostic and drug categories associated with repeat prescriptions.
- To quantify interpractice variation in repeat prescribing.
- To determine repeat prescription to consultation ratios for frequent diagnoses and drugs.
Main Methods:
- A 2-week prospective study involving 22 general practices in Northern Ireland.
- Practitioners recorded diagnoses for all consultations and repeat prescriptions.
- Data analysis focused on diagnostic categories, drug classes, and repeat prescription rates.
Main Results:
- Digestive, cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric, and metabolic diagnoses were significantly associated with repeat prescriptions (p < 0.0001).
- Gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, central nervous system drugs, dressings, and appliances were significantly associated with repeat prescriptions (p < 0.0001).
- Significant interpractice variation was observed in overall repeat prescribing and for specific diagnostic and drug groups. High repeat to consultation ratios were noted for ranitidine, temazepam, and diazepam.
Conclusions:
- Wide interpractice variation in repeat prescribing suggests a lack of consensus on managing common conditions.
- The non-uniform approach to repeat prescribing versus consultation requires further investigation.
- Unacceptably high repeat to consultation ratios for common diagnoses and drugs warrant attention.
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