The evidence on clinical and cost effectiveness of shorter versus longer prescriptions for people with stable chronic conditions treated in primary care has been assessed in a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA).1 The study consisted of three elements:

• a systematic review comparing 28-day prescriptions with longer prescriptions, assessing relevant clinical outcomes, adherence, costs and cost-effectiveness;

• a cost analysis of relative medication wastage with prescriptions shorter and longer than 60 days; and

• a decision model …