Evaluation of electronic prescription implementation in polymedicated users of Catalonia, Spain: a population-based longitudinal study.

Objectives: To assess whether electronic prescribing is a comprehensive health management tool that may contribute to rational drug use, particularly in polymedicated patients receiving 16 or more medications in the public healthcare system in the Barcelona Health Region (BHR).

Design: 16 months of retrospective study followed by 12 months of prospective monitoring.

Setting: Primary healthcare in BHR, Catalonia, Spain.

Profile, cost and pattern of prescriptions for polymedicated patients in Catalonia, Spain.

Objectives: Polypharmacy is one of the main management issues in public health policies because of its financial impact and the increasing number of people involved. The polymedicated population according to their demographic and therapeutic profile and the cost for the public healthcare system were characterised.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

[Electronic prescription in Catalonia, Spain (Rec@t): a health tool].

Electronic prescription is new advance in the use of new technologies on health care. It is a tool that increases quality health care, patient's accessibility and safety in use of drugs and sustainability of the system. Electronic prescription is also a system of prescribing and dispensing in real time, improving coordination between health professionals.