As a key area of patient safety for the health board and as the 2nd highest prescribers of Gabapentinoids in Wales a pregabalin audit was included as part of the Practice Incentive Schemes 'Pregabalin Prescribing Support Pack'.
To assist practices two learning at lunch sessions were organised in collaboration with expert speakers in this field. A Gabapentinoid Prescribing Resource Pack was developed and circulated to support practices.
The 'Pregabalin Prescribing Support Pack' initiative aimed to enhance patient safety, promote evidence-based practice, and support continuous learning among healthcare professionals.
The audit was completed by all GP practices across ABUHB and aimed to promote safe prescribing of pregabalin in line with current guidelines whilst identifying the source of initiation. Practices were asked to audit 30/40 patients prescribed Pregabalin, this was dependent on if they met the Gabapentinoid National Prescribing Indicator (NPI) target for the previous year.
A total of 2547 patients were included in the audit. Audits were completed by Neighbourhood Care Network (NCN) and Practice Pharmacists.
The results give an idea of the prescribing patterns of Pregabalin across ABUHB, highlighting the majority of Pregabalin is being initiating in Primary care.
Pregabalin continues to be prescribed without regular review, co-prescribed with other CNS depressants, which increased the risk of respiratory depression effects and prescribed for unlicensed indications.
The audit has also shown that Pregabalin is being prescribed outside of the licensed indication, and in some cases, doses are inappropriate for renal function. The audit has also highlighted that documentation within patients' records could be improved. A reduction in Pregabalin prescribing has been seen in ABUHB as a result. The more significant saving, however, cannot be defined in terms of money and that is improved patient outcomes.
