A prescribing formulary for use in both primary care and hospitals in Birmingham and Solihull was officially launched on June 24. It has been compiled by seven primary care groups and a hospital trust.
Copies of the formulary are to be sent to general medical practitioners and community pharmacists in the PCG areas and to hospital pharmacists and doctors. Prescribing for 500,000 patients in east Birmingham and Solihull will be governed by its contents.
Dr Peter Clewes (prescribing adviser, Hodge Hill PCG) said that 80 per cent of GP prescribing was expected to be formulary based. Electronic versions of the formulary would be available via the NHSnet and through hospital intranets.
The formulary was compiled by a working group with representatives from five PCGs in Birmingham and two in Solihull together with Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull Hospitals NHS trust and the department of primary care and general practice at the University of Birmingham. Work will continue on expanding the formulary and adding additional prescribing guidelines.
Dr Martin Wilkinson (prescribing lead, Hodge Hill primary care group) said that the formulary was an example of how joint working by community, hospital and academic staff could produce formularies which would encourage equitable prescribing and optimum treatment.