Prescribing psychotropic drugs in general practice: three year study.

A three year longitudinal study of psychotropic drug prescribing in one inner city general practice showed that there was a greater use of such drugs among women and elderly men and women. Repeat prescriptions without consultation accounted for 44% of prescriptions written. We think that any attempt to reduce the volume of prescriptions for psychotropic drugs should take into account the prescribing habits and attitudes of doctors as well as the problems and needs of patients.