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Prescribing Advice for GPs

An NHS Prescribing Advisers' Blog

NICE Guidance - April 2017

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published new or updated guidance for the month of April 2017. This month there are two guidelines that impact upon primary care.

The Irritable bowel syndrome in adults clinical guideline covers diagnosing and managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in people aged 18 and over. It has been updated in line with more recent guidance on recognition and referral for suspected cancer.

The Alcohol-use disorders clinical guideline covers care for adults and young people with physical health problems that are completely or partly caused by an alcohol-use disorder. It has been updated after an evidence review regarding corticosteroid treatment for people with severe alcohol-related hepatitis.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of this month's new guidance and implement any necessary changes to practice.

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Drug Safety Update - April 2017

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has published Drug Safety Update for April 2017 (PDF).

This issue contains updated information about the risk of developmental disorders seen in babies born to mothers who take valproate medicines. It is estimated that there is a 30–40% risk of developmental disability and a 10% risk of birth defects. Despite previous communications there is evidence that women are still not aware of the risk. The following new recommendations are therefore being made:

  • Do not prescribe valproate medicines for epilepsy or bipolar disorder in women and girls unless other treatments are ineffective or not tolerated; migraine is not a licensed indication
  • Ensure women and girls taking valproate medicines understand the 30–40% risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and 10% risk of birth defects and are using effective contraception
  • Valproate use in women and girls of childbearing potential must be initiated and supervised by specialists in the treatment of epilepsy or bipolar disorder

There is also a summary of letters sent to healthcare professionals in March including a letter noting the reintroduction of a paediatric carbocisteine liquid that is double the strength of the same presentation discontinued in January 2015. Clinicians should ensure an appropriate dose volume is prescribed when using this product.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of this month's new guidance and implement any necessary changes to practice.

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SMC Update - April 2017

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

Emtricitabine / Tenofovir (Truvada®) has been accepted for use in combination with safer sex practices for pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk. It should denoted that NHS Boards in Scotland will make it available within the next three months when systems are in place.

Insulin aspart (Fiasp®) has been accepted for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults. It is noted that this is a new formulation with a faster onset of action than another formulation of insulin aspart and is available at an equivalent cost.

Ticagrelor (Brilique®) has been rejected for use when co-administered with acetylsalicylic acid for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in adult patients with a history of myocardial infarction and a high risk of developing an atherothrombotic event. The manufacturer did not present a sufficiently robust clinical and economic analysis to gain acceptance.

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

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CKS Updates - March 2017

During March 2017 Clinical Knowledge Summaries were updated for the following topics:

The following topics were all reviewed:

The topics have undergone minor restructures. The most significant change is that all people presenting with suspected TIA within the last week should be referred urgently (to be seen within 24 hours) to a stroke physician without risk stratification.

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

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