Methods Within a pragmatic randomized controlled trial, involving all general practices in two PCTs, routine methods were used to distribute guidelines for the choice of antidepressants for the management of depression. Intervention practices were offered two visits (most accepted only one) by their PCT Pharmaceutical Adviser who had been trained in the techniques of outreach visiting. The intervention was evaluated using level three Prescribing Analysis and Cost (PACT) data for antidepressant drugs for the six months during which the intervention was delivered and the subsequent 12 months