A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Information technology, improved access and use of prescription drugs




AuthorsBöckerman Petri, Kortelainen Mika, Laine Liisa, Nurminen Mikko, Saxell Tanja

PublisherOxford University Press

Publication year2024

JournalJournal of the European Economic Association

Journal acronymJEEA

Volume23

Issue1

First page 396

Last page430

ISSN1542-4766

eISSN1542-4774

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1093/jeea/jvae034

Web address https://doi.org/10.1093/jeea/jvae034

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/386951194


Abstract

We estimate the effects of health information technology designed to improve access to medication while limiting overuse through easier prescription renewal and improved information provision. We focus on benzodiazepines, a commonly prescribed class of mental health and insomnia medications, which are highly effective but potentially addictive. We study the staggered rollout of a nationwide electronic prescribing system over four years in Finland and use population-wide, individual-level administrative data sets. We find that e-prescribing increases average benzodiazepine use due to increased prescription renewals. The increase is most pronounced for younger patients. E-prescribing can improve the health of elderly patients and may help to balance the access-overuse trade-off. Without additional monitoring for addiction in place, it may, however, also have unintended health consequences for younger patients, who are more likely to develop mental and behavioral health disorders.


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Last updated on 2025-17-03 at 12:22