[Experience of the British health care system reform after the 1989 White Book and its possible application for the rational use of pharmaceuticals in Spain].

Background: The analysis of the different governmental actions taken by the UK to rationalise the use of pharmaceuticals and the possibility of applying this rationales and method in Spain.

Methods: International and British literature were reviewed before a personal visit interviewing British health professionals on the central, regional and district level. Particular attention was given to the evaluation of and or information on generic drugs; the Indicative Prescribing Scheme and the Prescribing Analyses and Cost (PACT); the new roles of medical and pharmaceutical advisers for Primary Care prescriptions; the new "Medical Resource Centres" (MeReC) and "Medical Advisers Support Centre" (MASC); the role of the pharmacist in the hospital and community pharmacy is also analysed.

Results: The British approach has improved prescription use and patient care and has helped to discipline uncontrolled growth in pharmaceutical expenditures.

Conclusions: Similar measures can probably be implemented in other health systems, independently of whether or not the basic principles behind the reformed British system which are still unproven over the long run are adopted.