Diagnosis-prescription studies – important steps towards a national drug prescription statistics in Norway

Abstract

ABSTRACT

In the first part of this article, drug utilization and prescribing practice is discussed as seen from a

Norwegian general practice perspective. Which are the data sources available? What kind of studies

have been performed? Prescription-diagnosis studies are reviewed, in particular the Møre & Romsdal

Prescription Study (MRPS). Because the wholesales drug statistics do not include information about

neither patients, prescribers or diagnoses, there is a current need for establishing a more comprehensive

statistics giving wider and deeper insights into the prescribing and utilization of drugs in the Norwegian

society. The proposed Norwegian prescription statistics is discussed in relation to previous experiences

from prescription-diagnosis studies and current needs for research and statistics in the field. Some

examples are given illustrating why the 11-digit person number probably should be included in the

database. Lack of diagnostic information may to some extent be compensated for by introducing a more

differentiated list of diagnoses for the drugs reimbursed. The use of data from this statistics for quality

assurance in e.g. general practice is discussed. Finally, some suggestions are given for how the Norwegian

prescription statistics may be organised.