PPA puts PACT on line

Medeconomics, June 1994

Dr Andrew Herd

If you dread analysing your PACT data, a new software package being tested by the Prescription Pricing Authority, which helps you to manipulate the data electronically, may be just what you are looking for.

Every GP is familiar with the bar charts of PACT (prescription analysis and cost) level 1. Some dread the arrival of PACT level 2, sent to practices with higher than average drug costs, while fundholders respect PACT data like rabbits do snakes, knowing just how easy it is for uncontrolled drug costs to derail the budget.

Since the release of PACT in 1988, GPs have wanted to improve on it. But the problem is, while levels 1 and 2 are useful, level 3 is indigestible.

What GPs really want is to manipulate the data electronically. At least two independent suppliers have risen to the challenge, but their software requires level 3 data to be keyed in which is tedious, time consuming and risky: a small error can throw totals out by hundreds of pounds.

The Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) in Newcastle now plans to make its data available electronically. The result is General Practice Electronic PACT (GPEP). GPEP is a DOS-based PACT analysis package, developed by the PPA and derived from the PACTLINE software used by FHSA medical advisers. I have been testing GPEP and while it is not perfect, I think it is the logical choice for PACT analysis. GPEP can be run in DOS, or as a DOS application running under Windows. Users can be given different levels of access to PACT data.

Four levels of analysis

The main menu screen has options for PACT analysis, financial analysis, utilities, maintenance and access to the on-line help system. the PACT analysis menu offers analysis by totals, chapters, sections or aggregate.

Choosing analysis by section takes you into another screen, showing data for each chapter of the BNF split by section for a particular GP. Cursor keys can take you from section to section viewing total number of items and net ingredient cost, actual cost, total generic items and total generic percentage.

Each category is analysed by GP, expected outcome, variation from this and comparison with the practice. There are four other levels of analysis. The first shows personally administered items; the second analysis by prescribing unit; the third duplicates statistical data on the last page of PACT level 1. The fourth lists PACT level 3 data by drug.

There are five options for graphical analysis of level 3 data. A browser in the graphics module takes you through to other months, GPs, sections and chapters. Analysis by chapter or totals shows the same data with less detail. The financial analysis section will interest fundholders as GPEP can show detailed figures on performance. These include comparisons against the same month in preceding years, expected performance against an average partner and forecast out-turn. Forecasts use a more sophisticated model than the simple and inaccurate trend used on the monthly prescribing budget return.

The PPA is deciding on price but the software should cost about the same as a Windows spreadsheet and will be eligible for reimbursement. An annual maintenance charge will give users access to PPA data. This is under review, but should be via a monthly download by modem. Data from previous years will be available on request. GPEP and one year of data occupies just under ten megabytes on my hard disk, space I consider well used.