Pharmacy
Pharmacy services are responsible for medicines management. They provide advice to board, the trust executive team and clinicians on the use of medicines and provide input to risk management and clinical governance. They are a key interface with primary care organisations.
Medication formulary
This formulary has been developed by members of the Medicines Management Team together with clinicians and is endorsed by the trust’s Drugs and Therapeutics Group.
The aim of the formulary is to advise clinicians on evidence-based, clinically and cost-effective drug treatments. The formulary covers those drugs most commonly used in mental health and is set out in the same way as the British National Formulary. Drugs for physical health should follow the formulary of the local acute or primary care service.
Drugs should be prescribed generically except for preparations where a brand should be specified because of variations in bioavailability between brands – lithium, for instance. The formulary advises on appropriate choices and links to and takes account of NICE and other national guidance, as well as alerts from NPSA (National Patient Safety Agency) and MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) and other relevant information.
It is recognised that on occasion non-formulary items may need to be prescribed and in such circumstances pharmacists may seek a rationale from prescribers, which must be documented in the clinical record. There is a list of approved unlicensed uses of licensed drugs as an appendix to the medicines management policy.
The formulary should be used in conjunction with the latest edition of the Maudsley prescribing guidelines.
Finally, please remember that when prescribing medication it is vital that you discuss options, alternatives and reasons for prescribing with the service user. We know that doing this will lead to a better patient experience.
