Repeat prescribing in the elderly. A case for audit?

An audit of repeat drug prescriptions in 531 elderly patients in an urban practice was undertaken. Two thirds of the patients (64%) were receiving repeat prescriptions at time of review and had been doing so for up to 20 years (mean 5.3 years). Individual practitioners' rates of starting repeat prescriptions and monitoring them were reviewed. The data revealed that drug prescription in this highly susceptible group was not being adequately monitored and stimulated the introduction of repeat prescription cards.