Prescribing Advice for GPs

No Smoking Day – 2010

March 10, 2010 at 9:00 am | In Prescribing Extra - Other |  Print | No Comments

Today is No Smoking Day and this year the theme is WeQuit.

The web site contains information and resources to help people quit smoking. This year there is also an increase in use of internet and technology solutions such as a video blog, Twitter and Facebook pages and even an App for the iPhone that counts days, hours minutes and seconds since someone quit smoking and also how much money they have saved.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of these materials and use them to support local smoking cessation activities.

SMC Update – March 2010

March 8, 2010 at 4:28 pm | In Prescribing Extra - Other |  Print | No Comments

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has issued its monthly advice on new medicines.

Ketoprofen and omeprazole (Axorid^®) has been rejected for the symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and osteoarthritis in patients with a previous history or who are at risk of developing NSAID associated ulcers or erosions in whom continued treatment with ketoprofen is essential. The economic analysis provided was not sufficiently robust to gain approval.

Saxagliptin (Onglyza^®) has been accepted for restricted use in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as add-on combination therapy with metformin, when metformin alone, with diet and exercise, does not provide adequate glycaemic control. This agent is only recommended when the addition of sulphonylureas is not appropriate and is an alternative to other agents such as thiazolidinediones (glitazones).

Action: Clinicians should be aware of the recommendations of the SMC. Routine use of rejected and restricted medicines should be avoided.

Peer pressure blamed for excessive drinking

March 2, 2010 at 11:54 am | In Prescribing Extra - Other |  Print | 3 Comments

The Department of Health (DH) has published the results of a survey into the drinking habits of more than 2,000 English adults.

The survey found that 22% of respondents have drunk more alcohol than they planned because of peer pressure. 39% stated that they made up an excuse or lied to avoid another drink.

However, the survey also noted that these steps may be unnecessary because the survey also found that:

• Only 1% of respondents think less of people who refuse a drink or choose to drink less than them
• Just 4% expect their friends to keep up with them when drinking
• Only 2% admit to piling on the pressure for friends to drink more when they don’t want to

The DH has also issued the following advice to those wanting to drink less:

• Take it a day at a time: try and cut back a little every day. Each day you cut back is a success
• Make it a smaller one: you can still enjoy a drink but have less. Try bottled beer instead of a pint or a small glass of wine instead of a large
• Have a lower strength drink: manage how much you drink by swapping a strong strength beer or wine for one with a lower ABV [Alcohol By Volume]
• Take a break: have the odd day here and there when you don’t have a drink

Action: Clinicians may find this information useful when advising patients on strategies to reduce alcohol consumption. The results of this survey indicate that peer pressure to drink is more of an internal pressure than an external one.

NICE Guidance – February 2010

February 24, 2010 at 9:53 am | In Prescribing Extra - Other |  Print | No Comments

The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence has published new guidance for the month of February 2010.

There is one guidance document that has an impact in primary care. Public health guidance has been published regarding school-based interventions to prevent the uptake of smoking among children.

This guidance recommends that information on smoking is integrated into the school curriculum, smoking policies should support both prevention and stop smoking activities and that these activities are coordinated with outside agencies.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of this guidance and support local activities where appropriate.

CKS Update – February 2010

February 23, 2010 at 9:55 am | In Prescribing Extra - Other |  Print | No Comments

Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) has been updated in February 2010 for the following clinical areas:

• Depression
• Ectopic pregnancy (new)
• Glandular Fever (new)
• Itch – widespread (new)
• Miscarriage (new)
• Neck Lump (new)
• Scrotal swellings (new)

Action: Clinicians who see patients with any of these conditions may find the new and updated information useful when reviewing current clinical practice.