Table 2.
Development in the number of patients experiencing polypharmacy and major polypharmacy
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Overall mean | % change 2004–2007 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polypharmacy | 152,778 | 161,851 | 168,774 | 176,626 | 164,632 | 16 |
| No. of these prescribed by the GP | 95,548 | 102,274 | 107,039 | 113,439 | 104,450 | 19 |
| Excessive polypharmacy | 24,882 | 27,306 | 29,374 | 32,340 | 28,351 | 30 |
| No. of these prescribed by the GP | 8958 | 10,426 | 11,451 | 12,936 | 10,942 | 44 |
| N | 497,648 | 496,475 | 497,857 | 497,538 | 497,379 | 0 |
| Polypharmacy from the GP ( %) | 63 | 63 | 63 | 64 | 63 | 3 |
| Excessive polypharmacy from the GP ( %) | 36 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 39 | 11 |
GP general practitioner