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.

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.

Formulary assessment – levomepromazine 6mg tablets

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.

Formulary assessment – indapamide 1.5mg modified release

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 Formulary Amendments – March 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.

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.

Monthly Horizon Scanning Report – March 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. 

Insulin aspart Sanofi (Trurapi): Biosimilar Insulin Aspart

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.

Insulin aspart Sanofi (Trurapi®▼) is the first biosimilar of insulin aspart (NovoRapid®). It is licensed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents, and children aged >1 year. This publication reviews its efficacy and safety, and the limitations of the evidence.

Wound Management & Other Dressings

Overview

This report looks at prescribing trends in primary care for Wound Management & Other Dressings at CCG and STP level with particular focus on antibiotic dressings.

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

Frequency

Annually

Data Period

April 2018 to March 2021

Oral Nutrition

Overview

This report looks at prescribing trends in primary care for Oral Nutrition at CCG and STP level with particular focus on Enteral Nutrition, Foods for Special Diets and Infant Feeds.

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

Frequency

Annually

Data Period

April 2018 to March 2021