[Reduction in prescription of B-preparations in general practice]

In order to evaluate the effect of a collective agreement on change in GP's prescribing habits with regard to benzodiazepines and analgetics containing codeine, the prescriptions, measured in DDD, for the period September - November 1993 were compared with the prescriptions issued during the same period in 1994. All 11 general practitioners in three neighboring municipalities around the small town of Røros took part in the project. Co-operation with the only pharmacy in the region was established. In 1993, baseline consumption of the actual drugs was slightly below the average for Norway. A total decline of approximately 50% in prescribed DDD was obtained, with a reduction in prescriptions for hypnotics, anxiolytics and analgetics alike.