Diagnosis-prescription studies – important steps towards a national drug prescription statistics in Norway
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5324/nje.v11i1.533Abstract
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.
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