RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Prescribing practices for Proton pump inhibitors among primary care physicians in England JF BJGP Open JO BJGP Open FD Royal College of General Practitioners SP BJGPO.2024.0059 DO 10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0059 A1 Plehhova, Kate A1 Wray, Joshua A1 Aluko, Patricia A1 Sutton, Scott A1 McArdle, Jim A1 Dawson, Anne A1 Coyle, Cathal A1 Stevens, Richard M YR 2024 UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/early/2024/09/19/BJGPO.2024.0059.abstract AB Background Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) the most frequently prescribed drug class globally, are often overused.Aim To assess PPI prescribing practice in England.Design & setting Electronic medical record (EMR) evaluation from 62 primary care GP practices.Method Adult patients on continuous PPI treatment (repeat prescription or≥4 acute prescriptions 6 months before data extraction) were included (August 2021−June 2022) to compare PPI prescribing practices vs National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (GORD and dyspepsia management) and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (clopidogrel-PPI interaction) guidelines.Results We identified 77,356 patients on continuous PPI treatment. The most common (68%) diagnosis recorded in patients’ EMRs and indicated for PPI use was gastroprotection, although 62% had no recorded indication. Of these 62% patients, 40% had no medication review in the preceding year. Among those with diagnoses indicated for≤3 months of PPI therapy (34%), 99% received their first PPI prescription≥3 months previously. Of patients with diagnoses indicated for long-term treatment (4%), 41% had no medication review in the preceding year. Furthermore, 18% of patients using omeprazole or esomeprazole were also prescribed clopidogrel, and 19% of those prescribed treatments associated with gastrointestinal risk (N=14,826) were not prescribed PPIs.Conclusion This study shows that PPI prescribing in England is not in alignment with existing clinical guidelines and highlights the need for appropriate measures to increase awareness of overuse and support deprescribing where appropriate.