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Budget impact of paracetamol 250mg/5ml oral suspension

The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the increase in cost of paracetamol 250mg/5ml oral suspensions since May 2022. It considers the potential savings that could be achieved through cost-effective paracetamol suspension prescribing across the ICSs in the North East & Yorkshire region and Greater Manchester.

Budget impact of emollient bath and shower preparations

The purpose of this bulletin is to promote cost effective prescribing by highlighting the lack of evidence on the efficacy of emollient bath and shower preparations for the management of atopic eczema, in line with updated NICE guidance. It considers the potential savings that could be achieved with reduced prescribing of these products across the […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Budget impact of methylphenidate modified release tablet choice

The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the difference in cost between bioequivalent methylphenidate modified release (MR) tablets. It considers the budget impact of MR tablet choice and shows the yearly primary care spend on all methylphenidate XL tablets, and the proportion of this spend on each of the available brands.

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 […]

Budget impact of metformin 1g immediate release tablet prescribing

The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the rapid increase in price of metformin 1g tablets over the last year, and to raise awareness of the difference in price of metformin 1g immediate release (IR) tablets compared with 500mg IR tablets. It considers the potential budget impact to primary care of prescribing metformin 1g […]

North of England Integrated Care Systems; Overprescribing

This bulletin provides an update on key primary care prescribing trends in the North of England, which relate to ‘Overprescribing’; incorporating ‘Polypharmacy’. It provides a snapshot of overprescribing in the North of England Integrated Care Systems, including the percentage of patients receiving five or more unique analgesic medicines, and those receiving three unique medicines (not […]

Reducing the carbon impact of inhalers across the North of England

This bulletin provides baseline figures on the current Inhaler Carbon Footprint at ICS level in the North of England, in order that systems can identify the level of response to be undertaken. It examines the current carbon footprint attributed to Inhalers in the North East and Yorkshire and the North West. It also analyses the […]