D4 Published development or research report or study
Digital Waste? Unintended Consequences of Health Information Technology
Authors: Petri Böckerman, Liisa T. Laine, Mika Kortelainen, Mikko Nurminen, Tanja Saxell
Publisher: IZA - Institute of Labor Economics
Publication year: 2019
Series title: IZA Institute of Labor Economics Discussion Paper Series
Number in series: 12275
ISSN: 2365-9793
Web address : http://ftp.iza.org/dp12275.pdf
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/39987910
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.
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.
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