Prescription rates in line with rest of co A RECENT study which finds North Shore doctors are over- prescribing sleeping pills and tranquilizers may be misleading, says the co-author of the report. By Richard Ostler Contributing Writer Dr. Kathleen Bell, clinical director of the extended care unit at Lions Gate Hospital. said the report used Pharmacare benzodiazepines data which does not give specific informa- tion about the drug or the dose. “It’s not looking at the amount of pills being pre- scribed,” Bell said. “It’s only looking at the number of times a doctor wrote a prescription _for these medications.” The report by North Shore Health found that 27% of seniors on the North Shore_ received at least one prescrip- tion for benzodi- azepines last year. As weil, the report also indicated that some seniors are regular users of sleeping pills intended for short-term use. Although the North Shore shows slightly higher numbers of benzodi- azepines prescriptions than the national average, Bell does not think it’s a big deal. “The B.C. figures aren’t that much out of keeping with the rest of Canada and the North Shore figures aren't that much higher than any- where else.” she said. Some doctors phoned Bell con- 4&& If the doctor doesn't give it to them they go to another doctor... PF — Dr. Kathleen Bell, clini- cal dietician, LGH extend- ed health care unit cerned that a Jan. 7 article in’ the North Shore News suggested doc- tors were the cause of the problem. Bell suid that if the doctors do not prescribe the drug when pitients ask for it, patients may choose to use a harmful alternative. “{f the doctor doesn’t give it to them they go to another doctor or they use things that have side effects like alcohol or over-the-counter preparations.” she said. Although certain patients will require prescriptions for sedatives, Bell hopes the report will help doc- tors consider alter- hatives to prescrip- tions for sleeping pills or tranquiliz- ers. The report includes — guide- lines for prescrib- ing benzodi- azepines and a list of community resource support programs on the North Shore. “| want doctors to look at their patients and see if there is another way to get around their sleeping problems.” she said. Dr. Stew Madill, vice-president of medical diagnostic services at Lions Gate Hospital, had not read the report by North Shore Health, but said the information will be a useful review of situations where sleeping pills are prescribed. “We have a very active pharmacy and therapeutic committee which would be very interested in reviewing this study and determining what action, if any, should be looked at,” Madill said. Madil! emphasized that he is con- Pine Nig ht Tabie ‘pom GG Pine Bookcase fom 1 59” Oak Table & 4 Chairs on® 599” High Boy Chest som? | 99” ‘Corner Unit %()/ OFF rom? 2 9 go ‘ Y Wooden & Cast Iron Accessories y (ducks, Cows, Roosters & Frames ‘COLLUISI Wednesday, January 17, 1996 ~ North Shore News ~ 11 Our 37th Year 1s untry fident with the hospital's staff and trusts the doctors’ assessment of their - patients. “Dhave every faith ina physician's ability to make those kinds of judg- ments,” he said. “LT don't think for a minute that these drugs are being prescribed in an inappropriate way.” you know abo itetie bronze medalete: A a DON TAYLOR Same owner, same high tech equipped shop Join-us:at the Nor January 2ot athletes in netba'! Winter.Games. cen Monday-Wednesday 40 am. Bip, olunteer Thursday.and -Friday’10:a! es rt 1.C.B.C. “ B.C.A.A, ° A.R.A. APPROVED CENTRE FREE COURTESY CARS FOR COLLISION REPAIRS “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” | AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR CAR TALKING x Estimates * YELLOW PAGES 299-9000 ny Rts i. Consultation 985-7455 ALIUT by local ’by ‘our North Shore nd-