Open AccessDoes improvement in the benzodiazepine prescribing indicator reflect more appropriate prescribing of hypnotics?
Author(s) -
Kendall H. E.,
Naisbitt S. M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international journal of pharmacy practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.42
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 2042-7174
pISSN - 0961-7671
DOI - 10.1111/j.2042-7174.2002.tb00658.x
Subject(s) - medicine , benzodiazepine , intensive care medicine , psychiatry , receptor
Focal points The benzodiazepine prescribing indicator included in the NHS performance indicator set for health authorities (HAs) has shown decreased prescribing of benzodiazepines, ie, improved performance National data show that use of hypnotics has not decreased due to increased prescribing of newer non‐benzodiazepine hypnotics Analysis of change in prescribing across HAs for October to December 1999 and 2001 shows that use of temazepam and nitrazepam has decreased in each HA but only one HA has shown a decrease in prescribing of zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon In 10 HAs overall prescribing of these 5 hypnotics has increased suggesting that prescribing of these drugs is not well managed in these HAs A high score on the health deprivation and disability index is associated with a higher prescribing rate for hypnotics therefore tackling the root causes of health inequalities may eventually lead to less demand for hypnotics