Introduction

TAYSIDE AREA FORMULARY

Introduction

Welcome to the Tayside Area Formulary (TAF). Each section of the Formulary contains the core drug selection relating to that area. The core formulary is intended to guide choice and awareness of a rational selection of drugs which have been included on the basis of clinical efficacy, safety, patient acceptability and cost-effectiveness. The drugs listed within the formulary provide first and second-line treatment options for the majority of conditions seen in both primary and secondary care, and will thus promote continuity of care.

Work continues to expand the formulary to cover more specialist areas of prescribing and work with prescribers aims to further improve compliance with recommendations. The development of specialist formulary lists has been undertaken as a 2 year rolling programme which should complete its current cycle by the end of 2012. Some of the specialist lists have been completed already and are included within the TAF under the heading ‘Specialist formulary lists and formulary development’. Medicines within these lists have been incorporated into the relevant formulary sections or ‘core formulary’. The aim of introducing specialist lists is to improve the relevance of the formulary and formulary compliance in secondary care; give clear guidance on specialist first line choices; and link to local protocols for specialist medicines that may be continued in primary care.

The Medicines Advisory Group, in partnership with Managed Clinical Networks and other primary and secondary care specialists, revises formulary drug choice and expands and develops prescribing advice in key therapeutic areas. Various guidance notes in relation to gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, psychiatric, pain management and skin disorders are included. Advice on antibiotic prescribing relevant to primary and secondary care is also incorporated. Certain sections also contain up-to-date protocols and pathways of care.

First choice medicines are clearly indicated where this has been 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.

Medical students and non-NHS clinical staff can also access the guide via the following university webpage:

http://134.36.192.253/content/index.htm

A mobile device application for the TAF for iphone, ipod touch or ipad users is available to download via iTunes for free (search NHS Tayside from the iTunes store). Instructions for use and updating of the ‘app’ should be followed before use, by selecting ‘help’ on the home page of the app.

The Tayside Area Formulary is intended to serve as a foundation for prescribing practice in Tayside. We hope that it will be adopted by practices and hospitals throughout the region and that clinicians, and other healthcare professionals involved in the prescribing and administration of medicines, will find it useful.

Dr David Shaw
Chair, Tayside Area Drug and Therapeutics Committee