BUCCALING UNDER THE PRESSURE - INFLUENCE OF SECONDARY CARE ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE PRESCRIBING OF GLYCERYL TRINITRATE BUCCAL TABLETS IN PRIMARY-CARE

Objective-To determine which characteristics were the best predictors of high rates of prescribing of glyceryl trinitrate buccal tablets. De sign-Practice and patient characteristics from 197 practices were exam ined, and a multiple regression analysis was performed to examine whic h variables were important in predicting this prescribing. Setting-For mer family health services authority (197 practices). Main outcome mea sure-Volume of prescribing of glyceryl trinitrate buccal tablets. Resu lts-Four variables contributed significantly to a multiple regression model: the catchment area of the secondary care establishment; the num ber of partners in a practice; the level of practice deprivation; and whether the practice served an urban or a rural area. The model sugges ts that the most important variable was the catchment area of the seco ndary care establishment in which the practice was located. Conclusion -Although only the prescribing of short acting glyceryl trinitrate buc cal tablets was studied, an impact of this size on primary care prescr ibing may have extensive implications for all drug expenditure in prim ary care.