Suffolk West PCT sets up restricted prescribing list
Restricted prescribing list
Items on the restricted prescribing list fall into one or more
of the following categories:
· Available to buy cheaply over the counter for minor ailments
· Classified as “a drug of limited clinical value” or “less
suitable for prescribing”
· Prescribed in large quantities that cannot be justified, eg,
soluble analgesics |
A restricted prescribing list (RPL) has this week been introduced by Suffolk West Primary Care Trust in a bid to curb excessive and inappropriate prescribing. The PCT aims to save money by promoting evidence-based,
rational prescribing, to free funds for new and innovative treatments
with proven efficacy.
The PCT will not prohibit GPs prescribing from the RPL, but it says that
items on the list should only be prescribed after careful consideration.
Linda Lord, prescribing support pharmacist at the PCT, was responsible
for the RPL’s implementation. She told The Journal that GPs can
use their discretion with low-income patients and can continue to prescribe
any of the items if they believe it is the best option. “The intention
is not to deny patients treatments they need,” she explained.
“The RPL was distributed to all practices about three weeks ago
so that GPs had the opportunity to hold discussions at their practice
meetings
and give comments — feedback has generally been positive,” she
said.
Suffolk East PCT implemented a similar list earlier this year; since
both PCTs will merge in October, this brings their prescribing policies
more in line with each other.
Posters and leaflets will be distributed to all GP surgeries and pharmacies
within the Suffolk West PCT area to help make patients aware of the RPL
and the reasons why certain items might not be prescribed. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
Reader