The family physician's knowledge of the cost of prescribed drugs.

In this study practicing physicians, residents and teaching faculty estimated cost to the patient of ten commonly prescribed drugs. Physician estimates were compared to averaage pharmacy prices. On the whole, physicians overestimated the costs of the drugs. Practicing physicians had the highest estimated while residents were the most accurate. Accuracy of price estimates differed greatly among the drugs. Physicians were also asked about their sources of drug price information and their prescribing policies in relation to cost. Residents and faculty relied heavily on pharmacists for the drug price information, whereas practicing physicians rellied on sales representatives and patients. Virtually all responders assign at least some importance to drug costs when prescribing. Residents and faculty reported prescribing generically more often than practicing physicians.