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Prescriptions and prescribing
Prescription forms, charges and exemptions, prescribing software, and roles and responsibilities in the prescription system.
Review of Prescription Charges - extending exemption from prescription charges for cancer patients and for people with long term conditions
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding extending exemption from prescription charges for cancer patients and for people with long term conditions the Department has set up a review on the introduction of exemptions for people with long term conditions, which will be led by President of the Royal College of Physicians, Professor Ian Gilmore. This review will conclude Summer 2009. The exemption arrangements for cancer patients will be in place from 1 April 2009, and the exemption for patients with long term conditions will be phased in over the next few years.
Department of Health central purchase and distribution of the British National Formularies.
Published: 18 December 2007
Strategies to achieve cost-effective prescribing: Interim guidance for primary care trusts (PCTs)
Published: 26 June 2007
This provides PCTs with interim guidance about prescribing incentive schemes pending the outcome of a legal challenge by the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries.
Managing medicines across a health community - Making area prescribing committees fit for purpose
Published: 6 June 2007
Medicines management and prescribing are key elements in both PCTs and acute trust business and it is important that the organisations liaise effectively on these issues. The guide will help with this collaboration and ensure the arrangements are fit for purpose.
Senior Managers’ Guide Drugs Bill
Published: 25 April 2007
The two page document provides a summary of available sources of prescribing information on prescribing activity. It also provides details of the current position with regard to the cost to the NHS of medicines in 2005/2006 and national activity on drug pricing and reimbursement.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
Topics referred by Department of Health Ministers to NICE
- 19th wave: Short Clinical Guidelines and Public Health Guidance referred in July 2008
- 19th wave: Technology Appraisal Minded Referrals in July 2008
- 18th wave: technology appraisals referred in July 2008
- 18th wave: clinical guidelines and public health guidance referred in March 2008
- 17th wave: clinical guidelines and public health guidance referred in October 2007
- 17th wave: technology appraisals referred in June 2008
- 16th wave - clinical guidelines and public health guidance referred in September 2007
- 16th wave: technology appraisals referred in March 2008
- 15th wave technology appraisals referred in December 2007
- 15th wave: Clinical guidelines and public health guidance topics referred in June 2007
- 14th wave: technology appraisals referred in June 2007
- 14th wave: clinical guidelines referred in March 2007
Funding of technology appraisal guidance from NICE
List of Directions to trusts on the funding of NICE guidance.
Drug treatments for multiple sclerosis (beta-interferons and glatiramer acetate): risk-sharing scheme
Published: 16/11/2006
The purpose of this briefing note on HSC 2002/004 is to remind PCTs and Hospital Trusts that there is a statutory duty under directions made under the NHS Act 1977 to fund treatment for eligible patients, including those who are not subject to routine monitoring.
Beclometasone dipropionate pressurised metered dose inhalers: important information for healthcare professionals.
The MHRA wrote to healthcare professionals on 8 August 2006, about the prescribing of beclometasone dipropionate CFC-free pressurised metered dose inhalers.
Medicines Matters
This document describes the mechanisms available for the prescribing, supply and administration of medicines to support the development of new roles or service redesign. It also outlines the aims of the continuing work of the non-medical prescribing programme.
Zero discount lists
Changes to the zero discount lists from 1 September 2006
The second stage of the reform of the zero discount lists, announced in April 2006, is to be implemented on 1 September 2006.
Simplification of reimbursement arrangements for NHS dispensing contractors - Changes to the zero discount (ZD) lists
Further to the DH consultation on simplification of the reimbursement arrangements and after consideration of the responses received, we intend to implement changes to the Zero Discount arrangements in two stages and with various amendments to the original proposal.
Controlled Drugs
This section contains information on the post-Shipman changes to the legal framework around the use and management of controlled drugs. It signposts the user to the relevant legislation and guidance from Government, professional bodies and other agencies.
Health Bill information paper: Medicines and pharmacies - Making the best use of the pharmacy workforce
Published: 09/01/2006
This paper provides information on the matters that may be included in the regulations made following changes to the Medicines Act 1968 and related NHS legislation in the Health Bill. The legal framework surrounding the sale and supply of medicines by pharmacists from pharmacies is complex and the intention of this paper is to give a fuller picture of the possible exercise of the new provisions within the Health Bill. Further discussion and consultation with key stakeholders will inform the development of the detailed provisions in these regulations.
NHS costs and exemptions
Information leaflets and guidance for patients and practitioners.
NHS English prescription forms
Current prescription form layouts and usage guidelines.
The Non-Medical Prescribing Programme
The non-medical prescribing programme gives patients quicker access to medicines, improves access to services and makes better use of nurses' and other health professionals' skills.
Electronic Prescription Service
Information about the Electronic Prescription Service.
Procedure for dispensers issuing and pharmacies refunding FP57 forms (receipt & prescription charge refunds) in England
Procedure for dispensers issuing and pharmacies refunding FP57 forms (receipt & prescription charge refunds) in England
New arrangements for paying prescription charge refunds have been agreed with the PSNC and are being introduced in England. Pharmacists will pay prescription charge refunds from 1 April 2005. The Post Office will stop paying refunds from that date. This notice replaces all previous notices/guidance about FP57s.
NHS repeat dispensing schemes in England
Published: 29/06/2006
NHS repeat dispensing schemes can give patients in England quicker and more convenient access to medicines.
Treatment for epilepsy: generic lamotrigine
This note provides information to healthcare professionals, particularly GPs and their staff, about the forthcoming patent expiry of the product Lamictal (lamotrigine) in May 2005.
Medicines management in NHS Trusts: hospital medicines management framework
Published: 19/09/2003
Self-assessment framework.
Provision of patient information with dispensed medicines
Guidance note and Q&A on the implementation of Directive 2001/83 EC, issued in August 2002.
Gluten-free foods - local options
This note provides advice to PCTs that are considering taking local action to introduce local arrangements for the supply of gluten free foods as an alternative to GP prescribing of such foods.
Wider availability of emergency contraception
Guidance on hormonal emergency contraception (May 2001).
Guidance on the use of antiviral drugs for the prevention of influenza
NICE guidance notes on prescribing antiviral drugs.
Additional links
Electronic Drug Tariff
The electronic Drug Tariff provides access to the current edition of the National Health Service Drug Tariff for England and Wales compiled on behalf of the Department of Health by the Prescription Pricing Authority.
Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances
The ACBS is moving from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency.
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