Prescribing patterns in Seychelles.

An analysis was made of 3658 scripts written by ten general practitioners over a three-week period. 5760 items were prescribed, an average of less than two items per script. The mean cost per script was US $1.70 at 1980 prices. Generic names were used in 40% of the items prescribed. 30% of the prescribed items were for anti-infective preparations. 19% were for the minor analgesics aspirin and paracetamol, and 14% were for drugs acting on the respiratory system.