ABSTRACT
A formulary in general practice is a voluntary preferred selection of medications assembled by the practice. At least 80" of patients in general practice with any given common illness will respond to an established medication. A repeat prescribing system, adequately policed, is not just acceptable but very necessary in current UK general practice. The ability to organize and manage a repeat prescribing system operationally and clinically is vital. Repeat prescribing is a significant and perhaps permanent feature of UK general practice and can be seen, to a small extent, in most health care systems. Formularies in general practice should not be inflexible. Use and acceptance of the formulary is strongly related to active participation. The strategy of formulary construction, implying active involvement but nevertheless voluntary in nature, represents the sort of educational, collaborative and professional activity essential for competence in prescribing.
