An investigation into compound analgesic prescribing in South Africa, with special emphasis on meprobamate-containing analgesics.

The primary aim of the study was to analyse the prescribing patterns of compound or combination analgesics in four metropolitan areas in South Africa. Prescription data from 50 medical practices in each area were obtained from a medical aid scheme, and were retrospectively analysed for 1995. One-third (33.1%) of all prescriptions for central nervous system (CNS) drugs was for compound analgesics. Compound analgesics represented 81.2% of the total number, and 72.1% of the total cost, of all non-opioid analgesic prescriptions. Children younger than 10 years received 30.2% of all compound analgesics. The most frequently prescribed combination product was an analgesic capsule consisting of paracetamol, codeine phosphate, caffeine and meprobamate. Nearly half of all the meprobamate-containing analgesics prescribed, contained exactly the same dosages of active ingredients. Meprobamate-containing analgesics represented 29.6% of the total number of analgesic prescriptions. Most patients using meprobamate-containing analgesics (48.4%) were females between the ages of 30 and 59 years. Further studies on compound analgesic prescribing should be undertaken, especially in relation to the diagnoses for which they are prescribed, as well as to other medication taken concurrently with analgesic products.