Impact of guidance publication on primary care prescribing rates of simple analgesia: an interrupted time series analysis in England
Analysis of practice-level prescribing data (Jan 2015-March 2019) found 4% reduction in prescribing of simple analgesia following NHS England guidance publication (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-0.99; p=0.027), with greater prescribing rates in deprived areas.
Source:
British Journal of General Practice
SPS commentary:
The guideline referred to is the 2018 NHS England guidance for Clinical Commissioning Groups to encourage implementation of policy to reduce primary care prescriptions of over-the-counter medications, including simple analgesia (oral paracetamol, oral ibuprofen and topical NSAIDS).