The cost of prescribing in general practice

Costs to the National Health Service and to the patients were determined for a sample of 77 patients who had consulted their doctor about back pain, depression or eczema. One of the main costs of the Health Service was for medication. Prescription forms were traced and costed after dispensing. Costs to patients included monetary aspects, side effects of medication and socio-emotional responses to illness. The Nottingham Health Profile was used to measure the latter on a time-scale series. Consultations with patients who had eczema were most likely to result in medication being prescribed. The mean cost of medication throughout the episode of illness was highest for those who had consulted about depression. Patients reported that 59 (61%) of prescribed items resulted in an improvement of the condition. This was likely to occur most often with treatment for eczema and least likely for patients who had back pain. Non-monetary costs, e.g. disruption of social life, were found to be highest in relation to depression.