Other factors probably explain differences in prescribing

EDITOR,—Robert P H Wilson and colleagues conclude that fundholding alters practice prescribing patterns and reduces the rate of increase in prescribing costs compared with those of non-fundholders.1 Though this may be the case in the former Mersey region, a similar study in Avon (of 156 general practitioners) has not reached the same conclusion. Using the same methods, colleagues and I found that, before the introduction of fundholding, fundholders spent on average less per weighted capitation …