Monthly formulary amendments – July 2026
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 July 2026.
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
Drug Tariff Monitor
Overview
The purpose of this report is to present the predicted cost impact of category A, M and C drug tariff PartVIIIA price changes on primary care spending. 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 SICBL and ICB level.
If you have any queries about the content of the report please contact us at nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net
Frequency
Quarterly
Data Period
July 2026 (Drug Tariff), May 2026 (ePACT2 Prescribing data)
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
July 2026 (Drug Tariff), May 2026 (ePACT2 prescribing data)
Cost Comparison Charts
Overview
The charts included within this report are organised by BNF classification (legacy) and show comparative costs at the NHS basic price1,2 (as of July 2026) for selected agents. Except where indicated otherwise, each chart shows the cost of 1 year3 of treatment at a commonly prescribed daily dose (shown in brackets). The doses given are not intended to imply therapeutic equivalence and for some BNF sub-classifications, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), the doses may vary according to indication. Additionally, in some therapeutic areas, for instance antibacterial drugs, the duration of treatment may differ from that shown. Primarily, this report focuses on costs related to prescribing in adults. There are however a few exceptions where products specifically for use in children are represented, such as in the emollient and Infant formulas sections. Additional notes to highlight any relevant cost related information are also added where appropriate, to improve the clarity of the information presented.
Rationale for inclusion: the cost comparison charts (CCCs) aim to represent the diversity of products available; including the least expensive, most prescribed, higher cost products being prescribed and products with additional features. The products included are furthermore considered in the context of national and local guidance and stakeholder formulary decisions. It is not possible to represent all pharmaceuticals within these charts.
Stakeholders (under password protection) can access the current version of the CCCs via our website in three formats: PDF, Word and Excel. The Excel version incorporates a more detailed comparison of contraceptives and allows charts to be split by BNF subsections in some instances.
References
1. NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA). Drug tariff.
2. NHS BSA. Dictionary of medicines and devices (dM+d).
3. 1 year in this instance is equal to 364 days (rather than 365) standardising 1 month as equal to 28 days.
Time Period
July 2026
Frequency
Quarterly
Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – July 2026
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 edition covers new and updated medicines and guidance published in June 2026.
This information is produced for use by NHS healthcare professionals.
Monthly formulary amendments – July 2025
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.
Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – July 2025
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.
Antibiotic STAR-PU: Updated weightings for 2024 population
STAR-PUs were developed with the intended purpose of enabling adjustment to the cost-based medicines dispensed (prescribing) data to account for the demographic variables; age, sex and temporary resident status. However, changes in prescribing behaviour and trends, alongside demographics, over time, necessitate that this weighting is refreshed to ensure that it remains accurate.
The RDTC have calculated updated antibiotic ‘specific therapeutic group age-sex related prescribing units’ (STAR-PUs) as both cost and item-based weightings for England. This bulletin describes the methodology and revised oral antibiotic STAR-PU weightings
Monthly formulary amendments – July 2024
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 July 2024.
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.
Formulary assessment – Melatonin (Adaflex) for ADHD
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.
This document was updated in July 2024.