Preventing the co-prescription of @entity440 and XXXX in General Practice.

@entity1 @entity440 @entity905 @entity0 @entity3756
In 2010 a population-based cohort study showed that there was decreased efficacy of the @entity0 drug @entity440 when used in combination with @entity905 , a commonly used SSRI antidepressant. The aim of this project was to identify @entity1 who may be affected by this co-prescription and suggest a change in medication. The project was conducted across two GP practices in Clevedon (The Riverside Practice _ The Green Practice), Bristol. The @entity1 were all from the active @entity1 register at each surgery. A search was conducted to find all those on @entity440 and @entity905 , using the EMIS computer system. These @entity1 would then be sent a letter to attend clinic. The new data would then be discussed with them before recommending a change of antidepressant (typically to @entity3756 ). Three @entity1 were found to be on both medications. They were all called into clinic and changed from @entity905 to @entity3756 . Furthermore a presentation was given to all GPs at the two surgeries alerting them to the new guidelines. A message was also set up to flash on the computer system whenever an attempt was made to co-prescribe the two drugs. All the @entity1 on @entity440 in these two practices are now receiving the optimum treatment. Furthermore interventions have been put in place to ensure that this remains the case in future. Another data collection should be conducted in one year. This project provides a good example of how this problem could be resolved at other GP surgeries.
