INTRODUCTION

The aim of the formulary

The main aim of this formulary is to promote safe, evidence-based, cost-effective prescribing.

Limiting the range of medicines included in the formulary and promoting the use of generic
medicines where appropriate:-

• Enhances safety through familiarity with the medicines in use in the hospital by all staff
  involved in the prescribing, dispensing and administration of medicines
• Ensures efficient use of NHS resources
• Ensures efficient use of limited storage space both within the hospital pharmacies and
  on the wards, enhances good stock control and reduces the pharmacy stock holding

Development of the formulary
The formulary has been drawn up following full and wide consultation with consultant medical staff, senior pharmacists and other interested parties and has been approved by the joint Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS foundation trust,  North Lincolnshire CCG and North East Lincolnshire CCG  .
The most up to date version will be accessible and maintained in an electronic format on the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS foundation trust  . Updates are made bi-monthly following medicines and therapeutics comittee and Area Prescribing Comittee meetings

How should the formulary be used?
Formulary drugs, including the range of approved preparations for each drug, are listed
according to the BNF classification system. Unlicensed drugs and preparations approved for  use in the hospital are included in the most relevant section.

First, second, and occasionally third line drugs are indicated where appropriate. First line  drugs should be used unless there is a contraindication; the patient has suffered an adverse  effect, or has not responded to the first line drug.

The formulary is not intended to replace the BNF which will need to be referred to for
information on licensed indications, contraindications, cautions, side-effects, interactions and
dosage etc. (also available online at http://www.bnf.org ).

Does the formulary apply to out-patient prescribing including referrals to GPs?
In general yes, as it is our aim to promote safe, evidence-based, cost effective prescribing in  primary care also. However there are some medicines that are not stocked by the hospital pharmacies and hence are not included in the formulary simply because we would not expect them to be initiated whilst patients are in hospital or in out-patients e.g. topical preparations
for acne, drugs for smoking cessation, HRT (only a very limited range of NRT & HRT is
stocked).

For up to date information on the how healthcare can prepare for the brexit supply of medicines vaccines medicial devices and clinical consumables

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-healthcare-providers-can-prepare-for-brexit#supply-of-medicines-vaccines-medical-devices-and-clinical-consumables