Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7084

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Publication type: Journal Article

Rubin P.
GMC to convene meeting for prescribing debate.
BMJ 2006 Oct 28; 333:(7574):918
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/333/7574/918-b

Abstract:

EDITOR-I am pleased that Aronson et al recognise the need for evidence to inform the debate over prescribing, and I note that they have broadened their interest to include postgraduate education.1 The General Medical Council’s education committee already has information relating to the undergraduate phase and is collecting more through its ongoing research into how well its requirements, described in Tomorrow’s Doctors,2 prepare new graduates for the foundation programme and beyond.

However, there is a paucity of evidence relating to factors that could improve the quality of prescribing in later stages of a doctor’s training and career. There is a growing risk that this debate will escalate in the wider media, where the underlying issues are not widely understood, with resulting alarm to patients and the public about their safety. It is essential that this perception does not become entrenched. The GMC therefore strongly supports the value of acquiring such evidence and will convene a meeting of interested parties to take this important matter forward.

Keywords:
Great Britain Humans Physician's Practice Patterns* Prescriptions, Drug