Frequently Asked Questions

See below for recent FAQ's.

Q. How do I find a drug on this site?
A. The Formulary Index section of this site is written as BNF chapters. If you are not sure where a drug would be you can use the search box and type in the name in full or first 3 or more letters. 

Q: Can my GP prescribe extra medication to cover my holiday?
A: There is very clear guidance within the British Medical Association prescribing in General Practice guidelines. “The NHS accepts responsibility for supplying ongoing medications for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. If a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months then all that the patient is entitled to at NHS expense is a sufficient supply of his/her regular medication to get to the to the destination and find an alternative supply of that medication.”
 
BMA General Practioners Committee Prescribing in General Practice Page 8 – June 2015. 
Document accessible from: https://www.bma.org.uk/-/media/files/pdfs/practical%20advice%20at%20work/gp%20practices/prescribing-in-general-practice.pdf

For further information visit: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1755.aspx  
 
Advice for patients:

For longer visits abroad (e.g. more than three months), the patient should be advised to register with a local doctor in the destination country for continuing medication; this may need to be paid for by the patient. It is wise for the patient to check with the manufacturer that medicines required are available in the country being visited. 

Q. Which documents need to be approved by ACE?
A. Any document produced by or for the CCG by individuals or groups of clinicians which direct the clinical management of patients and is expected to be used in a primary care setting by primary care contractors and /or their employees.
Please read the 'Assurance Framework for managing clinical policies and guidelines' for further information:

Q. Will the search box only search for drug names?
A. No, the search box will search for any word. You can therefore use this function to search for a drug name, condition, or any other word. If searching for a drug name please be aware that it may appear on this site as generic or brand only, try searching by generic in the first instance.

Q. How do I check to see if a drug has been discussed for inclusion to the formulary?
A. The Area Clinical Effectiveness Committee (ACE, formerly AMMC) meets every two months. The New Medicines / AMMC page on this website shows all decisions made from April 2011 onwards. We aim to put decisions from ACE onto this site and update the necessary section of the Formulary Index within two weeks of each meeting.

Q. How do I request a drug be added to the formulary?
A. Complete a New Drug Application Form found on the New Medicines / ACE page and submit to the committee.
 
Q. When is the next ACE meeting?
A. Dates of forthcoming ACE meetings are listed on the New Medicines / ACE page of this website.

Q:  Where can I find information on GPs and NMPs joining and leaving the practice in terms of prescribing access?

A:  GP Joining & Leaving practice

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/PrescriptionServices/3973.aspx

Non-medical prescriber Joining & Leaving practice

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ccgs-area-teams-and-other-providers/organisation-and-prescriber-changes/ccgs