Cost savings using a stepped-care prescribing protocol for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Article Abstract:

A program that routinely advises physicians to prescribe less-expensive non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be very effective in reducing prescription costs. In 1991, 70 million NSAID prescriptions were written at a cost of over $2 billion. Researchers instituted an NSAID prescribing program at an army base that required doctors to prescribe ibuprofen or indomethacin before prescribing a more expensive drug. The policy was repeatedly published in the pharmacy newsletter and discussed at hospital conferences. After the policy was implemented, expensive drugs accounted for only 22.5% of NSAID prescriptions, down from 34% before policy implementation. This amounted to a savings of $152,800 in the final year of the program, a reduction of 30%. Of 158 physicians who responded to a survey, only 9% felt the policy was restrictive, only 2% thought it should be discontinued and only four physicians felt their patients suffered because of the protocol.

Economic aspects, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents

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Weaving Webs for Physicians

Article Abstract:

Several companies are trying to capture part of the billion-dollar market providing health information to doctors. Hambrecht & Quist, an underwriting and acquisition advisory firm, estimates the revenue potential to be hundreds of billions of dollars. Many patients are already using the World Wide Web to find health information. Some companies are also providing business services to doctors, including Web sites that verify patient insurance, transcribe medical records, and process claims. Other Web sites offer online access to medical books and journals, provide sites for continuing medical education (CME), and allow physicians to seek help from colleagues on various patient problems.

Internet, Information services, World Wide Web

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Computerized prescribing: building the electronic infrastructure for better medication usage

Article Abstract:

Computerized drug prescribing could save time and money and reduce the number of illnesses caused by medication errors. Most prescriptions in the US are still hand-written, leading to many medication errors due to sloppy handwriting or lack of knowledge about the patient's drug allergies. Entering all prescriptions on a computer would provide legible printouts and the information could even be transmitted directly to the pharmacist. The computer would be linked to databases on drug interactions as well as patient information databases.

Technology application, Prescription writing

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