Background: Benzodiazepine use is associated to a risk of abuse of dependency. In Chile benzodiazepine abuse is a public health issue. In an attempt to overcome this problem, several restrictions in their prescription were implemented by the health authority. Despite these measures, inadequate use of benzodiazepines in primary care continues to be frequent. Aim: To study the frequency of benzodiazepine use among primary care patients. Material and methods: Cross sectional survey done during two days, with seven physicians working in public primary care clinics. They applied a structured questionnaire about psychotropic medication use. Results: One hundred eighty eight subjects aged 46.8±17.5 years, 66% women, were interviewed. Thirty two percent were consuming a psychotropic drug and 82% of these corresponded to benzodiazepines. General practitioners and psychiatrists prescribed the drug to 75% and 13% of subjects, respectively. A higher frequency of benzodiazepine use was observed in women and in urban areas. Conclusions: Benzodiazepine use continues to be highly prevalent in primary care patients, in spite of the nationwide implementation of controlled prescriptions (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 535-40).