Does a system of instalment dispensing for newly prescribed medicines save NHS costs? Results from a feasibility study.
BACKGROUND
In view of the increasing cost of general practice of drug prescribing, it is important to look at ways of reducing drug wastage and thereby improve the cost-effectiveness of prescribing.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the costs and cost savings to the NHS of instalment dispensing for newly prescribed medicines and to quantify the extra costs incurred by patients.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to receive either a normal (n = 103) or an instalment (n = 101) prescription.


RESULTS
The difference between prescribed and dispensed drug costs in the intervention group was 0.98 UK pounds per patient (95% confidence interval 0.14-1.82 UK pounds), giving a 7% reduction in drug costs. The costs of the additional pharmacy time required to implement the intervention was calculated to be 5.02 UK pounds per patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Introduction of a system of instalment dispensing produced savings in the general practice of drugs bill, but these were not large enough to offset additional costs for pharmacists.
Millar
John
J
Dingwall Medical Group-Health Centre, Ferry Road, Dingwall, Ross-Shire, UK. jsmdingwall@hotmail.com
McNamee
Paul
P
Heaney
David
D
Selvaraj
Sivasubramaniam
S
Bond
Christine
C
Lindsay
Sandra
S
Morton
Mary
M
D017046:Cost Savings / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000191:economics*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000191:economics* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011306:Prescription Fees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics*; D014195:Travel / Q000191:economics; D006113:United Kingdom
D055553:Prescription Drugs