netFormulary NHS
North East and North Cumbria
ICS Formulary
 Introduction
Welcome to the Shared Formulary for the North East / North Cumbria Integrated Care System

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 Please click below to download application form for addition or
amendments to North East and North Cumbria (NENC) ICS Formulary

Application Form

Local Guidelines and Information Leaflets

County Durham  and Darlington North Cumbria North of Tyne, Gateshead and North Cumbria South Tyneside and Sunderland Tees

Useful Links

North East and North Cumbria ICS NTAG RDTC
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NICE CKS
SPS Medicine Supply Tool
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BNF & BNFC Drug Tariff Open Prescribing

MHRA Drug Safety Updates (https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update)

Drug Safety Update - June 2024
Drug Safety Update - May 2024
Drug Safety Update - April 2024
Drug Safety Update - March 2024
Drug Safety Update - February 2024
Drug Safety Update - January 2024
Drug Safety Update - December 2023
Drug Safety Update - November 2023
Drug Safety Update - October 2023
Drug Safety Update - September 2023
Drug Safety Update - August 2023
Drug Safety Update - July 2023
Drug Safety Update - June 2023
Drug Safety Update - May 2023
Drug Safety Update - April 2023

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Formulary Amendments
Last updated: 9th July 2024
Chapter Change Traffic light
status
Reason for change
06.01 Amendment - updated link for "Medication Management for Type 2 Diabetes in Adults Guidelines" Not applicable NENC Medicines Subcommittee
01.06.04 Amendment - Specified lactulose oral solution only  NENC Medicines Subcommittee
01.09.02 Amendment - Changed RAG rating for colesevalam from GREEN to GREEN PLUS NENC Medicines Subcommittee
03.09.01 Addition - Codeine Linctus for cough suppression in palliative care patients unable to take tablets NENC Medicines Subcommittee
04.02.02 Amendment - removal of NTAG guidance and now referencing NICE guidance Not applicable NICE CG178
04.08.01 Amendment - Addition of strengths of phenobarbitol oral solution to specify use of unlicensed alcohol free oral solution in all children NENC Medicines Subcommittee
04.10.02 Amendment - Changed RAG rating for buproprion in resistent depression from RED to GREEN PLUS NENC Medicines Subcommittee
06.01.06 Amendment - Alignment of flash blood glucose monitoring systems with updated NTAG postion statement Not applicable NTAG & NENC Medicines Subcommittee
06.01.06 Addition - Dexcom ONE+ and Freestyle Libre 2 Plus added as options to blood glucose monitoring section and updated link ot NENC continuous glucose monitoring position statement NENC Medicines Subcommittee
08.01.02 Amendment - Changed RAG rating for mitomycin 0.04% eye drops from GREEN PLUS to RED NENC Medicines Subcommittee
08.01.05 Addition - Nivolumab–relatlimab for untreated unresectable or metastatic melanoma in people 12 years and over NICE TA950
08.01.05 Addition - Olaparib with abiraterone for untreated hormone-relapsed metastatic prostate cancer NICE TA951
08.01.05 Addition - Talazoparib for treating HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with germline BRCA mutations NICE TA952
08.01.05 Addition - Epcoritamab for treating relapsed or refracrtory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after 2 or more systemic treatments NICE TA954
08.01.05 Addition - Momelotinib for treating myelofibrosis-related splenomegaly or symptoms NICE TA957
08.01.05 Addition - Daratumumab in combination for treating newly diagnosed systemic amyloid light-chain amyloidosis NICE TA959
08.02.02 Addition - Belumosudil for treating chronic graft-versus-host disease after 2 or more systemic treatments in people 12 years and over NICE TA949
09.08.01 Addition - Sebelipase alfa for treating lysosomal acid lipase deficiency that is not Wolman disease - terminated appraisal NICE TA961
10.01.03 Amendment - Uploaded new hydroxychloroquine shared care protocol to replace previous regional variations NENC Medicines Subcommittee
10.02.01 Addition - Satralizumab for preventing relapses in neuromyelitis optics spectrum disorders - terminated appraisal Not applicable NICE TA960
11.08.08 Amendment - Addition of 114.3mg/1ml strength of aflibercept (Eylea)  NENC Medicines Subcommittee
13.05.03 Addition - Dupilumab for treating moderate to severe prurigo nodularis - added to non-formulary section Not applicable NICE TA955
13.05.03 Amendment - Uploaded new hydroxychloroquine shared care protocol to replace previous regional variations Not applicable NENC Medicines Subcommittee
Homepage Addition - MHRA Drug Safety Updates links for April, May and June 2024  Not applicable MHRA Drug Safety Updates

A formulary is only as good as the guidelines which underpin it. It is essential that this formulary is used in conjunction with the current guidelines. Throughout this formulary links to NICE and local guidelines are provided. This guidance should be read before selecting a drug from this formulary.

It is recognised that we cannot expect 100% compliance. This formulary will only cover 80-90% of what may be needed for individual patients. This formulary is expected to cover the majority of occasions but in exceptional circumstances both parties may agree to work outside of this guidance. Where necessary, secondary and primary care prescribers should discuss the appropriate management of individual patients personally.

 The contents of the formulary are supported by:

  • NENC North East and North Cumbria ICB
  • County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
  • Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
  • Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
  • Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • North Cumbria University Hospital NHS Trust
  • North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
  • Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
  • Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust

 The formulary is intended to:

  • encourage safe, effective and economical prescribing
  • enable safe and effective transfer of prescribing from secondary to primary care
  • facilitate continuity of treatment and minimise supply problems.

 It is not intended to be a comprehensive prescribing guide or to replace the BNF or BNF for children.

 Medicines are listed in chapters and subsections that generally correspond with those in the legacy BNF .

 Where appropriate the formulary gives information as to which drugs are regarded as being the first choice and alternatives. Where no ranking of drugs is stated, products are listed alphabetically.

 For hospital prescribers please note that not all formulary approved medicines will be available for prescribing and use in all organisations due to differences in commissioned services and stock holding or preferences in each organisation. Please consultant Pharmacy within your organisation.

Does the ICS single formulary cover every medication?

The formulary is comprehensive but will not cover every medicine in every situation.  Some patients may already be stabilised on non-formulary medications and it is not intended for these patients to be changed to formulary choices unless appropriate to do so. Whilst the formulary aims to standardise practice it is recognised that individual patients may require medicines which lie outside this guidance.

What if I feel the entry in the ICS single formulary is not correct?

Historically across the NENC ICS area there were three formularies and now there is a single ICS-wide formulary. There has been wide consultation on the new ICS Single formulary which was put together by team of stakeholders from across the NENC and based on an harmonisation exercise undertaken over the past 12 months comparing the three previous formularies in the NENC and reaching a consensus where there was a difference.

With merger of three formularies, the ICS has tried to ensure links and vital clinical information is not lost from entries in the formulary.  However, if you feel that an entry is not correct please email the Regional Drug and therapeutics Centre nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net  The RDTC is being used as a central point to collate any feedback to pass on to the relevant group within the ICB for action and is not responsible for the formulary.

Process for formulary applications for ICS for NENC ICS

  • All formulary applications or amendments from partner organisations in the NENC ICS should be submitted via nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net for consideration at the Formulary Working Group.

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