New “orange book” advises on drug dependence
New clinical guidelines on the management of drug misuse and dependence have been published by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) on behalf of the UK health departments.
The updated “orange book”, for which a draft
version was released for consultation earlier in the year (PJ, 23 June, p726), takes
into account changes that have occurred in drug misuse treatment since
the guidelines were first produced in 1999, as well as National Institute
for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance.
The document looks at aspects of communication between prescribers and
pharmacists providing a service for drug misusers. Pharmacists’ role
in supervised consumption services is also covered.
Heather Walker, chief pharmacist, North East London Mental Health Trust,
was a member of the working group for developing the guidelines. She
told The Journal that the document promotes the value of pharmacists
within shared care arrangements for drug dependence.
“Pharmacists
can make important contributions in the treatment of drug misusers if
they are kept in the loop,” she added.
She also drew attention to an annexe to the document, which describes
requirements for writing Controlled Drug prescriptions for the treatment
of drug dependence to be dispensed by a community pharmacist.
“Drug
misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management” is
available online.
The
NTA and NICE are running a series of one-day events to provide information
on the new orange book and NICE’s clinical guidance. Further information
is available
online
Mental health The National Institute for
Mental Health in England’s National
Workforce Programme has produced a best practice guide to help health and social
care organisations implement new ways of working in mental health. The programme
aims to expand multidisciplinary roles within the mental health workforce to
improve patient care (PJ, 19
May, p578).
“New
ways of working for everyone: a best practice implementation guide” is
available from the Department of Health website.
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