Drug prescription in Iceland.

Two ad hoc surveys on drugs prescribed in Reykjavik during November 1972 and November 1974 were made. After the first survey a publicity campaign was launched and doctors were encouraged to change their prescribing habits; only minor changes in docotors' prescribing habits were noticed, although it is realised that this type of programme will require a longer period to prove its effectiveness. The surveys showed that benzodiazepines are more widely prescribed than chlorodiazepoxide. Doctors have been warned of the probable addictive effect of benzodiazepines (Grimsson et al., 1974). Drug addicts who used to go from one surgery to another have now been identified and they can only receive drugs on prescription from their own family doctor or his deputy.