Explaining variations in general practice prescribing costs per ASTRO-PU (age, sex, and temporary resident originated prescribing unit)

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Abstract
In the light of evidence which suggests that the use of medicines is in some degree predictable from the demographic structure of practice populations,1 a move has been made towards the use of a weighted capitation formula in determining general practitioners' prescribing budgets. One recently devised weighting structure, the age, sex, and temporary resident originated prescribing unit (ASTRO-PU), allocates individual weightings to nine age groups for each sex, plus one for temporary residents, in the practice list.2 Family health services authorities were advised that they might use weightings based on ASTRO-PUs to adjust the prescribing allocations, otherwise based on historic costs, for the financial year 1994-5.3 Over and above a budgetary allocation so determined, scope will always exist for discretionary or “soft” factors, reflecting particular patient need …