Locality
North of Tyne APC Update October 2015
Recent decisions – Latest Decisions | North Of Tyne Area Prescribing Committee Methenamine hippurate has been requested as a second […]
Use of Abasaglar (Biosimilar Insulin Glargine)
The patent for Lantus® (Insulin glargine) has expired and a biosimilar preparation called Abasaglar®, which has a lower cost, has been launched. It has yet to be considered in the Local medicines decision making process, guidance for use with defined patient criteria is pending.
Mirabegron: risk of severe hypertension and associated cerebrovascular and cardiac events
Mirabegron is now contraindicated in patients with severe uncontrolled hypertension; advice about regular monitoring is being introduced because of cases of severe hypertension.
Oral bisphosphonates: reminder of precautions to take
All bisphosphonates are associated with a risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Therefore before prescribing oral bisphosphonates, we remind you to tell patients to maintain good oral hygiene, attend routine dental check-ups and immediately report any oral symptoms such as dental mobility, pain, or swelling to a doctor and dentist.
Important Update to the County Durham and Darlington DVT Pathway
We have become aware that some practices were either not using the County Durham and Darlington DVT Pathway, or were using an incorrect version and this had led to a serious untoward incident. As a result we have taken the opportunity to review the Pathway and to re-launch it so everyone is now using the correct version.
NICE Guideline: Antimicrobial stewardship: systems and processes for effective antimicrobial medicine use
‘Antimicrobial stewardship: systems and processes for effective antimicrobial use’ (NG15) provides good practice recommendations on systems and processes for the effective use of antimicrobials. The guideline is aimed at all health and social care practitioners (including GPs, dentists, pharmacists and community nurses), commissioning and provider organisations, and aims to reduce inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics.
The main recommendations are designed to promote and monitor sensible antimicrobial use through stewardship teams to review prescribing and resistance data and to provide feedback, education, and training to prescribers. Specific guidance is given on clinical assessment and documentation of diagnosis, obtaining microbiological samples, delayed prescribing, and taking time to discuss with patients the likely cause of their symptoms.
Paracetamol administration with Meningococcal B (Men B) vaccine
On September 1st the new national Meningococcal B (Men B) immunisation programme for infants began. As administration of Men B vaccine when given with other routine primary vaccines often produces a fever, Public Health England recommend that infants are given a 60mg prophylactic dose of paracetamol at the time or soon after vaccination plus two further doses at intervals of 4-6 hours. The advice from PHE is clear that parents / carers are responsible for obtaining and administering the paracetamol and it should not be prescribed.
PINCER (pharmacist-led information technology intervention for medication errors) prescribing safety project in Newcastle practices
Medication errors are common in primary care and are associated with considerable risk of patient harm. The PINCER intervention is […]
Newcastle Gateshead CCG Prescribing Engagement Scheme peer review sessions
Two sessions were provided, one at the Newcastle and one at Gateshead time out educational events. 61 out of 65 […]