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Originally Posted by mm45  yeah I relise the fact that NSAIDs inhibit PG synthesis and mucous secretion etc. But if e/c are no more benefitical then normal NSAID why are so many doctors prescribing them, surely it could save the nhs money if they just stuck to the normal coating... |
1) Doctors are creatures of habit - it is very difficult to change prescribing habits of doctors who have done things one way for many years... Some bigger switches which are more cost-beneficial take precedence, for example, the switch to generic simvastatin as statin of choice, or switch from branded to generic PPI's...
2) The price of e/c pred is comparable to plain (Drug Tariff £1.88 for 30x EC 5mg cf. £1.77 for 28x plain 5mg) - wouldn't save a huge amount of money, and the NHS as a whole would save nothing as any nominal savings would simply be redistributed into the GP's pot of money - probably wouldn't even be enough to pay for a hospital admission for one patient who developed a GI bleed!
Or am i just too cynical?!