An audit of prescribing practices for benzodiazepines and Z-drugs.
2015
Concerns persist over the use of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in Ireland. A prospective prescription audit was conducted
in 81 community pharmacies across Ireland over a four week period. The study sought to assess the level of prescription
compliance with key components of benzodiazepine and Z-drug prescribing guidelines. 28% of audit booklets issued were
returned, yielding data on 4,418 prescriptions. The findings suggest that little progress has been made in improving the
prescribing of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in Ireland in the decade since publication of the Benzodiazepine
Committeeâ s report. Fewer than one fifth of prescriptions (18.8%) were fully compliant with the assessment criteria
and the majority (53.7%) had multiple discrepancies. This study highlights the importance of monitoring and auditing
benzodiazepine and Z-drug prescribing practices. Interventions involving patients, prescribers and pharmacists are
required to improve the prescribing and use of these medications in Ireland.
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