NICE guidance briefings

The following document is designed to give an executive summary of the key points in relation to medicines optimisation arising from NICE guidance.  It […]

Smoking cessation and medicines safety concerns

After March 9th 2016 Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust will be a Smoke Free Trust. There is a need to remind healthcare staff on the effect of smoking cessation attempts and psychotropic drug interactions.

Summary of NICE Quality Standards relating to medicines: January 2016

QS112 Gastro-oesophageal reflux in children and young people Infants with frequent regurgitation associated with marked distress have a trial of alginate […]

Antipsychotic prescribing CQUIN

Update on local CQUIN: Initiating antipsychotic treatment and associated monitoring

Out of Stock List December 2015

The following items are currently unavailable, hard to obtain or going short in the market. It is not an exhaustive […]

New NICE Guidance on Type 2 Diabetes

A new NICE guideline ‘Type 2 diabetes in adults: management’ is now available. It covers the care and management of type 2 diabetes in adults (aged 18 and over) focusing on patient education, dietary advice, managing cardiovascular risk, managing blood glucose levels, and identifying and managing long-term complications.

Clozapine – constipation as an under-recognised life-threatening effect of clozapine

Constipation is an under-recognised life-threatening adverse effect of clozapine.
Clozapine has been associated with varying degrees of impairment of intestinal peristalsis, ranging from constipation to intestinal obstruction, faecal impaction and paralytic ileus. On rare occasions theses cases have been fatal.

Name change of Camcolit 250mg tablets

The proprietary (brand) name of “Camcolit 250mg tablets” has changed to “Lithium Carbonate Essential Pharma 250 mg film-coated tablets”, effective from 1st October 2015.

Controlled Drugs: Learning from Incidents October 2015

NECS supports the NHS England Area Team Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer in ensuring the safe management and use of controlled drugs within the North East & Cumbria region. Based on the commonly reported incidents and the lessons learned, we aim to share good practice across the region.