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Methods

Lithium dispensing data for patients within the CDHB boundaries were retrieved from the national database (NZ Health Information Service) via CDHB Planning and Funding for the period of 1st July 2009 to 30 June 2010. LBCs were retrieved for the same period from all three of the laboratories in CDHB (Canterbury Health Labs; MedLab South; Southern Community). The results were combined and analysed on Microsoft Excel (TM) software.

Results

Lithium was prescribed for 1416 patients during the period of 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010 with a mean daily dose of 507 mg per day.