The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7352 p672
4 June 2005

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News summary

Formulary expansion for independent nurse prescribers

More than 50 new medicines to treat an additional 32 conditions were added to the nurse prescribers’ extended formulary (PDF 160K) at the beginning of May.

The additions were made after considering the responses to a consultation that started in April last year. At the time, the proposal was for an extra 60 medicines to treat 30 conditions.

As a result of the change, independent nurse prescribers can now prescribe medicines to treat a range of central nervous system conditions, including acute dystonias and recurrent generalised tonic-clonic seizures and certain infections, including cellulitis, dental infections and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

The most recent figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which are now 12 months old, show that there are a little over 2,000 extended formulary nurse prescribers. Updated figures are expected later this month.