Postgraduate education in therapeutics: experience in Merseyside.

A teaching programme in therapeutics for general practitioners in Merseyside, which was led by a group of clinical pharmacologists, had as its principal aim to emphasise the importance of rational drug prescribing. The course comprised 15 sessions restricted to 25 GPs, and the topics were suggested by both the organisers and the GPs. Though each session was introduced by a clinical pharmacologist, the emphasis was an open discussion and exchange of views. This programme may serve as a pattern for other centres.