Impact of the reduction of the prescription charge in Wales on the prescribing of non-sedating antihistamines in primary care.
OBJECTIVE
Determine the impact of the phased reduction of the prescription charge in Wales on prescriptions for non-sedating antihistamines.


METHODS
Prescription items for non-sedating antihistamines dispensed in 22 Local Health Boards (LHBs) in Wales and 15 Primary Care Trusts in the South East of England were analysed between October 2001 and September 2006.


RESULTS
There was an increase in percent change (median (interquartile range [IQR])) in prescription items for non-sedating antihistamines dispensed in Wales in the 24 months after the first reduction of the prescription charge in October 2004 compared to the 24 months prior to this (13.7 [10.9-17.1] vs. 7.3 [5.0-10.7], p<0.001). In the South East of England there was no change over the same periods (4.4 [3.4-7.5] vs. 4.5 [0.8-7.9], p=0.73). In the five least deprived LHBs the percent change in prescriptions for non-sedating antihistamines increased in the 24 months after the reduction of the prescription charge compared to the previous 24 months (14.3 [11.5-19.4] vs. 9.0 [9.1-13.5], p=0.04). In contrast there was no change over the two periods in the five most deprived LHBs (13.1 [10.9-17.5] vs. 9.5 [2.9-10.4], p=0.08].


CONCLUSIONS
The phased reduction of the prescription charge in Wales coincided with an increase in the number of non-sedating antihistamines dispensed in Wales. This was only evident in the least deprived LHBs.
Dhippayom
Teerapon
T
Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3XF, United Kingdom.
Walker
Roger
R
D017047:Cost Sharing; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D004739:England; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011057:Politics; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011306:Prescription Fees / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014852:Wales
D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating