News - RDTC

Security warnings in Excel files

July 5, 2023

Following a recent change Microsoft has introduced new security measures to protect users against malicious Excel macros. Previously users may have seen the following message when opening RDTC Excel reports and by selecting Enable Content would allow users to use the spreadsheet with full functionality.

Following the recent change some users may receive the following message when opening our reports:

Many of our reports use macros to update when the viewing options are changed to select the appropriate ICB or sub-ICB. Stakeholders can address the security message by following the instructions by clicking on the Learn More option when the message appears. These options are summarised below, and a downloadable copy is available here.

Unblock all files from a specific network share or website

A preferable option is to set a network location or website as a trusted site in Windows so a macro from the site won’t be checked (this may require assistance from local IT services as Trusted sites may be blocked).

Tap the start button or Windows key and type Internet Options.
Select Internet Options from the search results and the Internet Properties dialog box will appear.
On the Security tab, select Trusted Sites, then select Sites.
Type the URL of the site or server that contains the Microsoft 365 files with the macros you want to run, and then select Add.
Select Close and then OK.

Unblock a single file

After downloading the file, open the Windows File Explorer and go to the folder where you saved the file.
Right-click the file and choose Properties from the context menu.
At the bottom of the General tab, select the Unblock checkbox and select OK.

A downloadable version of these instructions is available here. If you have any questions or have difficulties in opening reports, please email us on nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net.

Transfer of prescribing from private provider to NHS GP – RDTC of prescribing from private provider to NHS GP – RDTC

March 30, 2023

Medicines in Practice is a series of evidence–based publications specifically designed to support stakeholder medicines optimisation services.

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.

Medicines in Practice: Considerations for Sustainable Inhaler Prescribing

March 24, 2023

Medicines in Practice is a series of evidence–based publications specifically designed to support stakeholder medicines optimisation services.

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.

A briefing for ICSs regarding NICE TA875: Semaglutide for managing obesity

March 15, 2023

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.

Formulary Assessment Tool: Tacalcitol (Curatoderm) Lotion and Ointment

March 3, 2023

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.

The Formulary Assessment tool for tacalcitol (Curatoderm) can be found here.

Prescribing for Population Health: Problematic Polypharmacy: Prescribing Cascades Evidence Evaluation

March 2, 2023

Prescribing for Population Health (PPH) is an ongoing series that aims to support ICSs to improve the health of the populations they serve.

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.

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.

Prescribing for Population Health – Polypharmacy and Overprescribing: Opioids

February 17, 2023

In recent years, there has been increasing concern regarding the overprescribing of opioids and associated harms. The RDTC has produced a series of publications as part of the Polypharmacy and Overprescribing theme reviewing opioid prescribing:

Each publication includes considerations and interventions for medicines optimisation teams and health systems. To avoid duplication across this series of overprescribing and polypharmacy opioid publications, the suggested actions have only been listed in the most relevant theme but may apply across all. We recommend reading all parts of the series sequentially to ensure the breadth of potential actions are known. The publications can be accessed using the links below:

PPH 3. Polypharmacy & Overprescribing: Opioid patient populations:

This publication aims to support greater understanding of the patient populations prescribed opioids and the inter-relationships and dependencies between prescribing and the available metrics.

PPH 4. Polypharmacy & Overprescribing: Opioid patient demographics:

This publication aims to support greater understanding of the demographics of the patient populations prescribed opioids.

PPH 5. Opioid population health management:

This publication aims to support greater understanding of the population health management of patients prescribed opioids, specifically in terms of deprivation level and the impact on sustainability and climate change.