Monthly Formulary Amendments – August 2023

Monthly Formulary Amendments Documents list any NICE Technology Appraisals, NICE Guidelines, 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 August 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.

Sustainability: Environmental impact of inhaler disposal

The NHS Long-Term Plan sets out a commitment to reduce NHS carbon emissions by 51% by 2025, and ultimately to become the world’s first Net-Zero health service. Good-quality data comparing the environmental impact of different types of inhalers is essential if patients and prescribers are to make informed decisions about their choice of inhalers in relation to their potential contribution to climate change.

The purpose of this bulletin is to review the current evidence on the relative contribution of the end-of-life disposal stage to the overall environmental impact of inhalers, and to highlight interventions which could reduce the environmental impact at end of use.

Budget impact of acetylcysteine vs carbocisteine

The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the difference in cost between acetylcysteine and carbocisteine when used as mucolytics, and to raise awareness of savings which could be achieved within ICBs. The bulletin considers the potential budget impact to primary care prescribing budgets based on current prescribing of carbocisteine across the ICSs in the North East & Yorkshire region and Greater Manchester.

Budget impact of promethazine prescribing

The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the rapid NHS price increase of promethazine hydrochloride tablets since July 2022, and to raise awareness of the impact the price increase is having on ICB prescribing budgets. Potential alternative options are outlined, to reduce prescribing costs. The bulletin considers the potential budget impact to primary care of prescribing promethazine across the ICSs in the North East & Yorkshire region and Greater Manchester.

Price Concessionary Bulletin

Overview

The purpose of this bulletin is to present the predicted cost impact of drug price changes, both through the Price Concessions list and also monthly drug tariff (DT) cost variations. The data is calculated by matching the ePACT2 prescribing data for the latest month available to the current prices listed in the NHSBSA Drug Tariff PartVIIIA. An adjustment is also made if necessary to the prescribing data of each drug to account for any difference in dispensing days between the 2 months. Data is presented at region, ICB and SICBL level.

If you have any queries about the content of the report please contact us at nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net

Frequency

Monthly

Data Period

August 2023 (Drug Tariff), June 2023 (ePACT2 prescribing data)

Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – August 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 Formulary Amendments – August 2022

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 August 2022.

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.

Prescribing Update Newsletter – August 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 introduces Strategic Insights, our new publication type, and has the first in a series of “Meet the Team”, where you can get to know the people behind the work we do. We also cover the new national shared care protocols published by NHSE, changes to the childhood vaccination schedule, and outline some resources that are available to support DOAC switches. There is also information on the changes to the Medicines Information Service, and some key medicines availability issues.

Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – August 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. 

Omalizumab and dupilumab for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Overview

Evaluation reports aim to give objective information and guidance on medicines and medical devices to commissioners of health services, prescribers and others. They include efficacy, adverse effects, place in treatment and arrangements for prescribing.

Omalizumab and dupilumab are indicated as an add-on therapy with intranasal corticosteroids for the treatment of adults with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This publication reviews their efficacy and safety, and the limitations of the evidence.