Variation in prescription duration for long term conditions: a cohort study in English NHS primary care using OpenPrescribing-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Variation in prescription duration for long term conditions: a cohort study in English NHS primary care using OpenPrescribing

Published:2024-05-29 Issue: Volume: Page:
ISSN:
Container-title:
language:
Short-container-title:

Author:

MacKenna Brian^ORCID,Brown Andrew D^ORCID,Croker Rich^ORCID,Walker Alex J,Tsiachristas Apostolos^ORCID,Evans Dave,Inglesby Peter^ORCID,Goldacre Ben^ORCID,Bacon Seb^ORCID,Curtis Helen J^ORCID

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundMany patients receive routine medications for long-term conditions (LTCs). Doctors typically issue repeat prescriptions in one to three month durations, but England currently has no national guidance on the optimal duration.MethodsWe calculated the duration of prescriptions for common LTCs in England over a 12-month period (December 2018-November 2019). We assessed the level of variation between regional clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and determine practice factors associated with different durations.ResultsOf the common medications included, 28-day (one-monthly) prescriptions accounted for 48.5% (2.5 billion) tablets/capsules issued. There was very wide regional variation in the proportion of 28-day prescriptions (7.2% to 95.0%). Practice dispensing status was the most likely predictor of prescription duration. The proportion of patients with LTCs and the electronic health record software used by a practice were also associated with prescription duration.ConclusionsOne month prescription durations are common for patients taking medicines routinely for long term conditions, particularly in dispensing practices. Electronic health record configurations offer an opportunity to implement and evaluate new policies on repeat prescription duration in England.

Publisher

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Reference23 articles.

1. Prescription Cost Analysis - England, 2018 [PAS] - NHS Digital. NHS Digital. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/prescription-cost-analysis/2018 (accessed 8 April 2019)

2. GUIDANCE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPEAT DISPENSING. NHS Employers. 2013. https://www.nhsemployers.org/~/media/Employers/Publications/repeat-dispensing-guide.pdf (accessed 8 January 2019)

3. Prescribing in general practice | The BMA. 2018. https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/gp-practices/service-provision/prescribing/prescribing-in-general-practice (accessed 8 January 2020)

4. Jeremy Felvus, Mark Llewellyn, Jonathan Richards and Malcolm Prowle. Review of dispensing volumes in Community Pharmacies. Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care · University of South Wales 2021. https://www.cpwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FINAL-REPORT-Review-of-dispensing-volumes-in-CP-March-2021.pdf

5. Burns C. Repeat prescribing intervals in Wales to increase from 28 to 56 days. The Pharmaceutical Journal. 2022. https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/repeat-prescribing-intervals-in-wales-to-increase-from-28-to-56-days (accessed 27 June 2023)