Problematic Polypharmacy:  Prescribing Cascades Evidence Evaluation

Prescribing for Population Health (PPH) is an ongoing series that aims to support ICSs to improve the health of the populations they serve. PPHs use prescribing data, biomedical literature and other data sources to provide new insights.

Problematic polypharmacy is a significant concern with overprescribing and occurs where the prescribing of multiple medicines is either inappropriate or where the intended benefit of the medication is not realised. Prescribing cascades contribute to problematic polypharmacy because they can lead to inappropriate medication use, adverse drug reactions, poor outcomes and increased healthcare resource use that could be avoided.

The publication aims to raise awareness of potential prescribing cascades and to highlight resources, tools, and strategies to help identify, prevent, and resolve inappropriate cascades.

Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – February 2023

Monthly horizon scanning reports are designed to inform the NHS about new products, significant changes to product licenses, significant new guidance, and decisions that have been made by recognised bodies. 

This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals. 

Prescribing Update Newsletter – February 2023

Prescribing support newsletters aim to inform readers of work done by the unit and work in progress, to help tailor local work plans and highlight any ‘topical’ issues in prescribing or medicines management.

If you have any suggestions for future topics for the newsletter, then please contact nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net

This month’s edition focuses on RDTC resources to help you make the most of your budget, updates to the cost comparison charts, the voluntary recall of certain FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors, and an E-learning programme on internet safety, suicide, and self-harm. It highlights recent publications from the RDTC including a series of publications as part of the Polypharmacy and Overprescribing theme reviewing opioid prescribing, and a Prescribing Bulletin looking at the budget impact of Metformin immediate release 1g tablets. It also includes another in the series of “Meet the Team” where you can get to know the people behind the work we do. There is also information on some key medicines availability issues and serious shortage protocols

Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – January 2023

Monthly horizon scanning reports are designed to inform the NHS about new products, significant changes to product licenses, significant new guidance, and decisions that have been made by recognised bodies. 

This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals. 

Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – December 2022

Monthly horizon scanning reports are designed to inform the NHS about new products, significant changes to product licenses, significant new guidance, and decisions that have been made by recognised bodies. 

This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals. 

Polypharmacy and overprescribing: overview

Strategic Insight reports are designed to support strategic objectives and planning by Integrated Care System leaders. Through the analysis of data and communication with key stakeholders across the ICS, interventions to be undertaken by the ICS are proposed to Integrated Care Boards or associated committees.

This report provides an update on key primary care prescribing trends in the North of England with respect to polypharmacy, in order to support primary care teams in identifying key groups who may benefit from a structured medicines review.

Electronic repeat dispensing: Understanding the prescribing population & initial barriers to uptake

Strategic Insight reports are designed to support strategic objectives and planning by Integrated Care System (ICS) leaders. Through the analysis of data and communication with key stakeholders across the ICS, interventions to be undertaken by the ICS are proposed to Integrated Care Boards or associated committees.

This report highlights the benefits of electronic repeat dispensing (eRD) and examines its use at ICS level in the North of England, in order to support systems in identifying where prescribing processes may be further streamlined.

Prescribing Update Newsletter – March 2022

Prescribing support newsletters aim to inform readers of work done by the unit and work in progress, to help tailor local work plans and highlight any ‘topical’ issues in prescribing or medicines management.

If you have any suggestions for future topics for the newsletter, then please contact nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net

This month’s edition covers RDTC publications produced in the last financial year, specials added to new Part VIIID section of the Drug Tariff, a spotlight on Hidradenitis suppurativa, the potential contamination of infant formula food products, unintentional paracetamol overdose in adult inpatients with low bodyweight, updates to the routine immunisation schedule, and resources relating to Ramadan.

Prescribing Update Newsletter – January 2022

Prescribing support newsletters aim to inform readers of work done by the unit and work in progress, to help tailor local work plans and highlight any ‘topical’ issues in prescribing or medicines management.

If you have any suggestions for future topics for the newsletter, then please contact nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net

This month’s edition covers the use of steroid medication warning cards for children and young people, National Detect, Protect and Perfect programme and choice of DOACs, Primary Care Discussions: Focus on Diabetes, and SPS: New guides for providing medicines advice and/or prescribing in pregnancy. It also continues a series of spotlight articles on one of the types of RDTC stakeholder level report; this month looks at the new Monthly Formulary Amendments report.

Prescribing Update Newsletter – November 2021

Prescribing support newsletters aim to inform readers of work done by the unit and work in progress, to help tailor local work plans and highlight any ‘topical’ issues in prescribing or medicines management.

If you have any suggestions for future topics for the newsletter, then please contact nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net

This month’s edition covers the transformation of the SPS, the new SPS Medicines Availability Tool, and SPS publications, discontinuation of the Intal asthma inhaler, and the new NTAG Website. It also continues a series of spotlight articles on one of the types of RDTC stakeholder level report; this month takes a look at Monthly Horizon Scanning Document.