As shown in many studies, up-to-date knowledge is not reflected in pre
scribing behaviours. The aim of pilot study PHOLY (Prescription aux HO
spices civils de LYon) was to study methodological and technical condi
tions of a drug utilization study in a large university medical centre
and to evaluate the discrepancy between drug prescribing and up-to-da
te knowledge. Data of 1115 in-patients of Hospices Civils de Lyon were
collected. We have shown the feasibility of such a study in spite of
many difficulties (52.15 per cent of questionnaires received, missing
data...). Reference treatments such as ACE inhibitors in heart failure
treatment or betablockers for high blood pressure represent respectiv
ely only 14.6 per cent and 6.7 per cent of the prescriptions in these
indications. Within the framework of quality of care improvement, the
study of the appropriateness of the treatments enables identification
of domains where better therapeutic information is necessary.