As a senior manager I was as surprised as the rest of the board at the size of the drug bill. As someone who shared the responsibility for managing the budget I was shocked at the difference between the cost of the top ten most commonly prescribed drugs and their generic equivalent. Simply by persuading GP’s to change their prescribing habits we could save millions! Suddenly we have the money to fund services, no more cuts, no more redundancies, no more rationing. As a patient I was concerned to receive a letter from my GP informing me along with other patients on cholesterol reducing medication that I would notice a change in drug when I next collected a prescription. The letter went on to explain that tests had shown this drug to be was more beneficial to people with hart conditions. I have been on my current medication ever since my heart bi pass operation four years ago and after some initial adjustments of dosage I have seen my cholesterol levels significantly reduced with no side effects. I am reluctant to change what works. I am also suspicious that the real reason for changing to another drug is that it is cheaper.I would not want my GP’s prescribing habits to be influenced by the prospect of an all expenses paid conference in Florida nor would I want would I want my GP to be told by the accountant which drug to prescribe. Is this what is meant by agreeing the strategy but opposing its implementation?Blair McPherson author of UnLearning management published by Russell House. Follow Blair on Twitter @blairmcpherson1
