The prescription of lidocaine patches in osteoarthritis—a complete audit cycle

Objectives Nationally, 5% of the population have been prescribed topical lidocaine patches (TLPs). These patches cost €77–230 per month. The only licensed indication for TLP is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). It has not proven to be effective for any other indication including musculoskeletal and post-surgical pain. It is estimated that only 5–10% of patients on TLP have PHN. The aim of this study was to audit the number of inpatients currently prescribed TLP—appropriately and inappropriately—and to examine the prescribing patterns.