[Generic prescription/substitution. A 6-month project in a general practice concerning prescription of synonymous preparations].

During a period of six months, two general practitioners with a total of approximately 2,800 Danish National Health Service patients investigated the advantages and disadvantages of generic prescription. Only preparations from Group C (heart and vascular disease) and Group M (bones, joints and muscles) were included. A total of 1,421 prescriptions were issued and synonym preparations were issued for 280 of these. A total of 135 out of 140 possible patients received synonym preparations and 98 (72.6%) out of 135 possible patients replied to a questionnaire sent to them. Out of these 82 (83.7%) were so satisfied with the arrangement that they considered that it should continue. Out of the total of 1,421 prescribed preparations, the savings involved were 6.4% from the Danish National Health Insurance, 4.5% for the communities and 8.4% for the patients. This corresponds to a total saving for Groups M and C of 18,628 Danish crowns (approximately 1,555 pounds) out of the original sum of 278,296 Danish crowns (approximately 23,200 pounds) which corresponds to 6.7%. In Denmark, Groups M and C constitute approximately 25% of all the prescriptions issued. More extensive investigations are recommended to illustrate this subject and before any definite conclusion are drawn.