Prescribing Advice for GPs

NICE Guidance - November 2023

November 23, 2023 at 8:16 am | In Prescribing Extra - Other | Print | No Comments

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published new or updated guidance for the month of November 2023. This month there are four guidelines and one technology appraisal that impact upon primary care.

The Familial breast cancer: classification, care and managing breast cancer and related risks in people with a family history of breast cancer clinical guideline has been updated. It covers care for people with a family history of breast, ovarian or another related (prostate or pancreatic) cancer. The update removed the off-label warning for anastrozole in the recommendations on chemoprevention for women at moderate or high risk of breast cancer, in line with the MHRA licence variation.

The Acute Respiratory Infection in over 16s: Initial assessment and management guideline has been updated. It covers assessment of people aged 16 and over with symptoms and signs of an acute respiratory infection (both bacterial and viral) at first remote or in-person contact with NHS services. The update clarifies that the threshold for treatment or referral for further assessment may be lower for people with an acute respiratory infection who are more likely to have a poor outcome.

The Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management guideline has been updated. It covers identifying and treating primary hypertension in people aged 18 and over, including people with type 2 diabetes. The update has amended the recommendations on measuring and managing postural hypotension. Tables have also been added to the section on monitoring treatment and blood pressure targets to summarise blood pressure targets.

The Transient loss of consciousness ('blackouts') in over 16s clinical guideline has been updated. It covers assessment, diagnosis and referral for people over 16 who have had a transient loss of consciousness. This update amended the guidance on assessment and referral for suspected postural hypotension.

The Empagliflozin for treating chronic heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction technology appraisal has been published. This treatment is recommended, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating symptomatic chronic heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction in adults.

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