BACKGROUND: In 1994, an Audit Commission report estimated that Pounds 425 million could be saved from the national drug budget if general practitioners (GPs) altered their prescribing in various ways. AIM: To assess the views of GPs and family health services authority (FHSA) advisers on issues similar to those raised in the Audit Commission report. METHOD: A questionnaire was sent to a 1 in 20 sample of GPs from 33 randomly selected FHSA areas (n = 576) and all FHSA advisers (n = 285). RESULTS: A total of 419 (72.7%) GPs and 234 (82.1%) advisers replied. There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) between GPs and advisers on all but one of the statements. In particular, there were marked differences on some of the statements relating to substitution with cheaper similar drugs. Differences were smaller for statements on the use of drugs of limited therapeutic value, the range of drugs prescribed, and practice prescribing policies. Differences were noted between subgroups of GPs in response to some of the statements. CONCLUSION: The majority of GPs in this survey gave responses that were supportive of many of the types of suggestion made by the Audit Commission. However, it is suggested that differences of opinion between GPs and FHSA advisers may have implications for the development of strategies to control prescribing costs.
BACKGROUND: In 1994, an Audit Commission report estimated that Pounds 425 million could be saved from the national drug budget if general practitioners (GPs) altered their prescribing in various ways. AIM: To assess the views of GPs and family health services authority (FHSA) advisers on issues similar to those raised in the Audit Commission report. METHOD: A questionnaire was sent to a 1 in 20 sample of GPs from 33 randomly selected FHSA areas (n = 576) and all FHSA advisers (n = 285). RESULTS: A total of 419 (72.7%) GPs and 234 (82.1%) advisers replied. There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) between GPs and advisers on all but one of the statements. In particular, there were marked differences on some of the statements relating to substitution with cheaper similar drugs. Differences were smaller for statements on the use of drugs of limited therapeutic value, the range of drugs prescribed, and practice prescribing policies. Differences were noted between subgroups of GPs in response to some of the statements. CONCLUSION: The majority of GPs in this survey gave responses that were supportive of many of the types of suggestion made by the Audit Commission. However, it is suggested that differences of opinion between GPs and FHSA advisers may have implications for the development of strategies to control prescribing costs.