Does a system of instalment dispensing for newly prescribed medicines save NHS costs? Results from a feasibility study

(n = 101) prescription. Results. The difference between prescribed and dispensed drug costs in the intervention group was £0.98 per patient (95% confidence interval £0.14–£1.82), giving a 7% reduction in drug costs. The costs of the additional pharmacy time required to implement the intervention was calculated to be £5.02 per patient. Conclusions. Introduction of a system of instalment dispensing produced savings in the general practice of drugs bill, but these were not large enough to offset additional costs for pharmacists.