Implementing an online program to change benzodiazepine prescription in Portugal: a cluster randomized trial

Background: The excessive prescription of benzodiazepines (BZD) has long been considered a worldwide public health issue. Despite the existence large body literature regarding interventions to change BZD patterns, most fail report significant or long-term effects. Objective: To study effect implementation Digital Behaviour Change Intervention (DBCI) online platform – named ePrimaPrescribe on pattern. Secondarily, determine diagnosis registration coded in same months as and costs for NHS with co-payment. Methods: We followed cluster-randomised design allocate 18 primary healthcare units, from region Portugal. included prescriptions 250 general practitioners (GP) period 12 before after intervention implementation. Results: was more frequently prescribed elders females. alprazolam. Most had medium half-life. In analyses, we did not find any Regarding secondary outcomes, depressive disorder first, anxiety second, dementia fifth registered associated prescription. BZD’s co-payment represented an average expenditure approximately 1,300 € per unit month. Conclusion: could difference pattern Further work is required explore factors influencing resistance patterns.