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The Tayside Area Formulary (TAF) contains the core formulary and specialist formulary medicines (as specialist formulary lists). It is intended to guide choice and awareness of a rational selection of medicines for use within NHS Tayside. It is an evolving web-based document that is updated following decisions made by the Medicines Advisory Group (sub-group of the NHS Tayside Drug & Therapeutics Committee). Suggestions for addition or substitution of medicines to the core formulary or specialist formulary lists are welcomed from clinicians and pharmacists. The core formulary provides first and second-line treatment options for the majority of conditions seen in both primary and secondary care. First choice medicines are clearly indicated where possible. First choice medicines are chosen on the grounds of efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness and represent the best evidence-based and cost-effective choice for the majority of patients with a particular condition. The specialist formulary lists include medicines that are routinely prescribed in hospital or recommended by a specialist clinic to be prescribed in primary care. Medicines on the specialist formulary lists will be noted as either ‘H’ (may be prescribed by Hospital Specialists only) or ‘S’ (may be prescribed in General Practice under the direction of a Specialist).
Click here (NHS Tayside Staffnet intranet link only) to access the application form for the introduction of a medicine into the Tayside Area Formulary. This form is intended for clinicians to make a reasoned case for the addition or substitution of a medicinal product on the grounds of efficacy, safety, tolerability, convenience, cost, or any other criterion that may arise for a particular product.
Clinicians should fully complete and sign the form and have the support of the relevant practice pharmacist or hospital clinical pharmacist associated with the particular specialty, as the form should be countersigned by them. The Medicines Advisory Group reviews applications at the earliest opportunity and informs clinicians and pharmacists of the decision in writing.
Review of the Tayside Area Formulary (TAF)
Relevant specialists are contacted when specific sections, chapters, topics or individual medicines within the Tayside Area Formulary are identified as requiring review or an update. Evidence is gathered and reviewed and in partnership with Managed Clinical Networks and primary and secondary care specialists, formulary choices are revised and prescribing advice is updated. The Medicines Advisory Group considers and makes the final decision on proposed amendments. The final version is then updated on the TAF website and changes are communicated in the DTC supplement. This process is outlined in the Formulary Process flow diagram. For a list of sections of the TAF along with dates reviewed and updated click here (NHS Tayside Staffnet intranet link only).
New Medicines
New medicines, older medicines with new indications and major new formulations of medicines which have been accepted for use in NHS Scotland by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), are routinely referred to the Medicines Advisory Group for formulary consideration. Currently, specialist drugs are only considered for inclusion within the TAF where a relevant or appropriate corresponding specialist formulary list has been developed. Specialist medicines (whether included within a specialist formulary list or not) should only be prescribed either within hospital only (including specialist clinics) or by GPs under the direction of a specialist clinic. A local introduction form is to be completed by the relevant lead clinician(s) and lead pharmacist for all SMC accepted medicines prior to discussion of the new medicine by the Medicines Advisory Group, Respiratory Formulary Group or other appropriate DTC sub-group (e.g. Antimicrobial Management Group or Oncology & Haematology Medicines Management Group). The Medicines Advisory Group will consider the new medicine with the information provided to support its local introduction, and will make a local recommendation on its use. For further information on local processing of SMC accepted advice, click here. For information on local categorisation of SMC advice click here (NHS Tayside Staffnet intranet links only).
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