BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The majority of @entity1 with @entity1118 use analgesics regularly. Ensuring their safe and appropriate use is important. This study aimed to describe patterns of analgesic prescribing in one general practice, devise a method of identifying @entity1118 @entity1 from prescribing records, and assess prescribing recommendations made after a pharmacist-led review of analgesic prescribing and identify the proportion of these acted on by GPs. METHODS: Prescribing records in a practice of 6720 @entity1 were searched and 678 @entity1 were identified as receiving prescriptions for analgesics. 230 were invited to participate and sent a questionnaire, including questions about @entity1118 severity, general health and medications used. This was repeated after six months. The pharmacist completed a detailed medication review using information from medical records, questionnaires and personal interviews. Prescribing recommendations were made to GPs. RESULTS: 192 recommendations about safe or appropriate prescribing were made for 86% of @entity1 after records review, 56% being directly related to analgesic use. After 6 months all recommendations had been implemented in 77% of the @entity1 . Few additional recommendations were made after interview. There was little or no relationship with changes in @entity1118 severity or general or psychological health. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated a method of identifying @entity1 with @entity1118 in primary care, and the feasibility and acceptability of a pharmacist-led intervention. This is of potential value in primary care, as relevant prescribing recommendations were made for most @entity1 although further research is required to assess these.

The use of medication for XXXX in primary care, and the potential for intervention by a practice-based pharmacist.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'people', 'patients'] @entity1118 :: ('MESH:D059350', 'Disease') :: ['chronic pain']
@entity1118 :: (MESH:D059350,Disease) :: ['chronic pain']
