Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/196773 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 12275
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We exploit a large-scale natural experiment – the rollout of a nationwide electronic prescribing system in Finland – to study how digitization of prescriptions affects pharmaceutical use and health outcomes. We use comprehensive administrative data from patients treated with benzodiazepines, which are globally popular, effective but addictive psychotropic medications. We find no impact on benzodiazepine use on average, but among younger patients e-prescribing increases repeat prescription use. Younger patients' health outcomes do not improve but adverse outcomes, such as prescription drug abuse disorders and suicide attempts, increase dramatically. Improving access to medication through easier ordering may thus increase medication overuse.
Subjects: 
health information technology
electronic prescribing
repeat prescriptions
inefficiency
medication overuse
JEL: 
H51
H75
I12
I18
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
1.51 MB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.