Comparison of DOACs for Atrial Fibrillation
Comparison tables are produced for prescribers and medicines management teams. They are designed to assist in prescribing and decision-making within a specific therapeutic area.
Several direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are licensed for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This comparison table allows prescribers and other healthcare professionals to easily compare the characteristics of these medicines.
This publication was comprehensively updated in May 2025 to reflect changes to the respective SPCs and/or updated references. Where possible sections have been simplified and amended to reduce duplication and to consolidate some of the information. A contents page with hyperlinks to each section was added for easier navigation.
Monthly Formulary Amendments – March 2023
Monthly Formulary Amendments Documents list any NICE Technology Appraisals, NICE Guidelines, RMOC Guidance, MHRA Drug Safety Updates, and National Patient Safety Alerts published in the previous calendar month which may have an impact on local formularies and guidelines. This document is for APCs, and formulary committees to ensure formularies remain up to date, and in line with latest NICE guidance and safety information.
This edition covers guidance and alerts published in March 2023.
It includes a suggested formulary position for APCs/formulary committees, together with a summary of any financial/commissioning implications. The purpose of the document is to support consistent decision making by APCs.
This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals and RDTC stakeholders.
Transfer of prescribing from private provider to NHS GP
Overview
Medicines in Practice is a series of evidence–based publications specifically designed to support stakeholder medicines optimisation services. The series aims to maximise health gains through the optimum use of medicines, by influencing and changing prescribing behaviour.
This publication aims to provide guidance on what NHS prescribers need to be aware of when they are asked by a private healthcare provider, and/or patient, to take on the regular prescribing of a medication for a patient, including medicines supplied under formal shared care agreements. Based on suggested best practice it discusses the principles which underpin the transfer of patients from private to NHS provision and highlights Shared Care specific, and ethical considerations.
Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – March 2023
Monthly horizon scanning reports are designed to inform the NHS about new products, significant changes to product licences, significant new guidance, and decisions that have been made by recognised bodies.
This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals.
Considerations for Sustainable Inhaler Prescribing
Overview
Medicines in Practice is a series of evidence–based publications specifically designed to support stakeholder medicines optimisation services. The series aims to maximise health gains through the optimum use of medicines, by influencing and changing prescribing behaviour.
Inhalers account for approximately 3% of all NHS carbon emissions. Reducing the carbon impact from inhaler prescribing has been identified as a significant area of focus for delivering a net zero NHS. This document aims to outline strategies that can be considered to promote optimal respiratory care, while minimising the environmental impact from inhalers and consequences of suboptimal disease management
NICE TA875; Semaglutide for managing obesity: A briefing for ICSs
In March 2023 NICE published TA875: Technology Appraisal guidance for semaglutide (Wegovy®) for managing overweight and obesity. The guidance recommends semaglutide as an option for weight management when prescribed by a specialist service alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults if they meet the criteria specified. This briefing aims to provide advice to prescribers on how the treatment can be accessed and which patient groups are eligible to receive Wegovy®. The document explains some of the limitations of the treatment and the evidence base, as described by NICE and may help to manage patient expectations.
At the time of publication the product is not yet available in the UK.
Formulary assessment – Tacalcitol (Curatoderm) Lotion and Ointment
Formulary assessment tools are templates to support local decision making. They list NICE guidance, MHRA safety advice, and other relevant high quality advice and guidelines relevant to making decisions for local formularies.
The templates are pre-populated with useful information to reduce duplication of effort, with space for the addition of local information as appropriate. The purpose of the document is to support consistent decision making by formulary groups and APCs.
This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals and RDTC stakeholders.
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.
This publication is part of our Strategic Support and Planning contract. To gain access please email us at nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net.
Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – February 2023
Monthly horizon scanning reports are designed to inform the NHS about new products, significant changes to product licences, 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