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AIM The aim of the formulary is to:

• promote safe, effective, and economic use of drugs
• rationalise prescribing within the hospitals
• rationalise the number of preparations stocked by pharmacies, thus reducing stock holding and drug wastage

GUIDELINES FOR USING THIS FORMULARY

The text is laid out in the same order as the British National Formulary (BNF). It should be used in conjunction with the current BNF. The Drug Formulary is not intended to be a replacement for it. Drugs can be located using the BNF section number or by the alphabetical list in the index at the back. If the BNF section has not been included, all preparations in that section are non-formulary.

Strengths, formulations available, prescribing restrictions and notes for local guidance are included in the main text. The new British Approved Name (BAN) has been used, with the former name in brackets after. In some instances, the trade name, indicated by ®, is included where it is necessary or with some compound preparations. Where there are modified release preparations, this is indicated by m/r and enteric coated preparations by e/c. Some sizes or strengths of preparations are currently available only on particular sites. Please refer to the pharmacy for further information. Various guidelines and protocols are referred to in the text. Details are available from pharmacy on request. In general, the drugs listed are those stocked in Pharmacy. For requests for non-formulary drugs please refer below

REQUESTING A DRUG FOR INCLUSION INTO THE FORMULARY

The Drug and Therapeutics Committee meets every two months to consider requests from consultants. A ‘new drug request form’ is available from the Trust Intranet. The Consultant should complete this fully, providing information about the intended indication, estimate patient numbers and supply supporting evidence for the inclusion of the drug. The form should be completed and signed by the Consultant, his/her Clinical Director, General Manager and clinical lead pharmacist. Funding will then need to be found. The pharmacy department will then produce an evidence-based evaluation for the Drug and Therapeutics Committee. Managing the entry of new drugs is a Trust requirement as part of its Medicines Management initiative