The GPRD is operated on a self-financing not for-profit basis and the data are licenced for use exclusively for medical and health research purposes on a non-profit making basis.

A wide range of UK and international researchers use the GPRD. These include academic institutions, government and health service researchers and research staff in the pharmaceutical industry. The Independent Scientific Advisory Committee (ISAC) reviews protocols for studies. Uses of the data are restricted to appropriate medical and health research purposes.