The changing relationship between prescribing and unemployment at family health service authority level in England, 1983-92.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between unemployment and prescribing costs over time.


METHODS
This was a longitudinal study.


METHODS
All 90 family health service authorities in England, 1983-92.


METHODS
All general practices in England.


RESULTS
The strength of the relationship varied over the period, falling to a very low value during the last two years of the decade.


CONCLUSIONS
Unemployment rates are not suitable as a proxy for the determination of prescribing costs.
Lloyd
D C
DC
Scrivener
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011306:Prescription Fees; D013997:Time Factors; D014478:Unemployment