>On a more positive note a pharmaceutical advisor has recently suggested
some
>changes we could make to our repeat prescribing which may help, we'll have
to
>wait and see. Has anybody got any personal experience of surefire simple
but
>effective ways to cut prescribing costs? All suggestions gratefully
received.
1. Prescribe less: Difficult to change historic patterns. We amalgamated
three practices. Patients who were in one practice were routinely given ABs
for URTI's. They still expect these: patient selection or tuition?
2. Change to cheaper generic versions e.g. Losec to Zoton (prior to recent
reduction)
3. Give private prescriptions to those who pay NHS costs, if private cost
less than NHS.
4. Prescribe smaller quantities of first prescriptions, particularly for
expensive drugs, e.g. 2 weeks for first script.
5. Don't run asthma clinics ;-) : if you do, make your practice nurse swear
that they'll never prescribe flixotide.....
6. HP status all on anti-ulcer Rx and triple therapy those that are
positive.
7. Resign. :-(
Dr GM Trowell
Highbridge Medical Centre
Highbridge
Somerset TA9 3YA
01278 783220
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Highbridge - a cemetery with lights
-----Original Message-----
From: JMSager <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 08 March 1998 00:06
Subject: Re: Shotgun marriage
>In a message dated 07/03/98 18:34:23 GMT, you write:
>
><< Didn't really understand Jeremy's comment about the unfairness of it so
> did not respond. Like Paul says, am I to be penalised for being a
> rational prescriber? All I know is that I got 3,000 pounds last year as
> an incentive without really trying or altering my habits.
> >>
>
>My point was, that whilst there are practices who are consistently
>underspending their drug budget in our area, the health authority will be
>unwilling to increase ours......it has never been set fairly, despite our
>protestations and it is proving increasingly difficult year by year to make
>any impact on our overspend for a variety of reasons. I'm not in favour of
>penalising underspenders....just envious:-)
>
>On a more positive note a pharmaceutical advisor has recently suggested
some
>changes we could make to our repeat prescribing which may help, we'll have
to
>wait and see. Has anybody got any personal experience of surefire simple
but
>effective ways to cut prescribing costs? All suggestions gratefully
received.
>
>Jeremy Sager
>GP Shadwell Medical Centre
>Leeds
>
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