title: Influence of population and general practice characteristics on prescribing of minor tranquilisers in primary care.
abstract: Prevalence of generalised anxiety disorders is widespread in Great Britain. Previous small-scale research has shown variations in minor tranquiliser prescribing, identifying several potential predictors of prescribing volume.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the relationship between general practice minor tranquiliser prescribing rates and practice population and general practice characteristics for all general practices in England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple regression analysis of minor tranquiliser prescribing volumes during 2004/2005 for 8,291 English general practices with general practice and population variables obtained from the General Medical Services (GMS) statistics, Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), 2001 Census and 2004 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest rates of minor tranquiliser prescribing were in areas with the greatest local deprivation while general practices situated in areas with larger proportions of residents of black ethnic origin had lower rates of prescribing. Other predictors of increased prescribing were general practices with older general practitioners and general practices with older registered practice populations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings show that there is wide variation of minor tranquilisers prescribing across England which has implications regarding access to treatment and inequity of service provision. Future research should determine the barriers to equitable prescribing amongst general practices serving larger populations of black ethnic origin.
authors.affiliation: Research Fellow, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Manchester . Manchester ( United Kingdom ).
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Research Fellow, National Primary Care Research and Development Centre, The University of Manchester . Manchester ( United Kingdom ).
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hann
authors.affiliation: Reader in Medicines Usage and Safety, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Manchester . Manchester ( United Kingdom ).
authors.forename: Daren M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ashcroft
keywords: Drug Prescriptions; Drug Utilization; Healthcare Disparities; Tranquilizing Agents; United Kingdom