Central purchase of the British National Formularies by NHS Evidence

Transcription

1 Central purchase of the British National Formularies by NHS Evidence Guidance for NHS organisations ordering supplies of the British National Formularies

2 Background The British National Formulary (BNF) is published every six months by BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and RPS Publishing jointly (in March and September). The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) purchases a quantity which it distributes to NHS doctors, pharmacists and nonmedical prescribers (both independent and supplementary prescribers) in England. The BNF for Children (BNFC) is published annually in July (in conjunction with Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Publications Ltd) and is also purchased by NICE. It is distributed largely on the same basis as the BNF. Unless advised otherwise, BNFC is supplied in the same quantities as the BNF. Organisations wishing to reduce their requirements should bear in mind that distribution should not be restricted solely to paediatric specialists. Anyone prescribing for children should be using the publication. A survey at Leicester Royal Infirmary established that only geriatricians were not prescribing for children. In many ways, non-specialists have a greater need for the publication than those working regularly with children. Both publications are essential in ensuring that medicines are used safely and effectively. NICE purchases copies of the BNF for distribution to NHS organisations in England only. Health service organisations in other home countries should contact the Scottish Executive; Welsh Assembly Government or Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland. Electronic access Both the BNF and BNFC are available on-line through the National Electronic Library for Medicines or via the internet at and Electronic access will be more

3 convenient than the traditional book for some users and can help reduce the cost of purchasing hard copies. Making best use of your BNF allocation In many settings, health professionals will require their own copy for constant reference. In some working areas, it will be sensible to share copies or to use the electronic access facilities instead of the books. NHS organisations will want to make sure that they distribute BNFs in a way thatmeets the needs of staff who are prescribing and managing medicines use, and to make sure that the provision of this resource is not open to abuse. BNFs are a valuable resource paid for with taxpayers money. Staff should be made aware that BNFs purchased by NICE are NHS property and must not be re-sold or misused in anyway. Any such misuse may result in disciplinary action. Over ordering or any other misuse can also mean that there are insufficient copies available for legitimate users. Who to contact for copies Information on how individuals/organisations, able to receive centrally purchased copies of the BNF/BNFC, can obtain extra copies, or update distribution details for future editions, is in the table below. Neither NICE nor the Department of Health deals with these requests. The correct contacts are set out below. If you / your organisation has insufficient copies, or for updates to distribution details, please contact as appropriate:

4 User/organisation How to obtain copies Information required to support application for copies Members of the public and healthcare organisations that are not part of the NHS. Copies of the BNF can be obtained through any bookseller or direct from: RPS Publishing c/o Macmillan Distribution UK Trade and sales enquiries: Phone: Automated line for orders and availability: Fax: / Orders@macmillan.co.uk Customers who do not hold an account with Macmillan Distribution are required to make payment in full when placing their order. GPs in GP practices GP Non-Principals Locum GPs. Please contact the DH Publications Orderline: (Textphone ) to obtain a registration form. Locums can provide a home address if they work for more than one practice. Practices are sent a registration form to complete for all eligible staff. GMC number must be supplied for copies to be issued. Please completed form to dh.bnf.amendments@etdsolutions.co m Community Pharmacies To obtain a copy for a new Please contact the DH Publications Orderline: (Textphone

5 pharmacy, or an extra copy for a large pharmacy. SHA/PCT Public Health/ / Pharmaceutical or Medical Advisors ) N.B. If you are a new pharmacy, or need to amend your details, please contact the RPSGB: registration@rpsgb.org to ensure that your contact details are correct for future editions. To obtain a copy for a new doctor or advisor, please contact the DH Publications Orderline: (Textphone ) Hospitals with insufficient copies for their doctors or pharmacists, or that need to update their delivery address details. Organisations requiring copies for non-medical prescribers, or that need to update their delivery address details NB pharmaceutical or medical advisors, please ensure the National Prescribing Centre has your latest contact details. Please dh.bnf.enquiries@etdsolutions.com. Please completed registration form to: dh.bnf.enquiries@etdsolutions.com. Forms should be supplied from a central point and must include a central delivery point, and a list of named qualifying staff with their NMC, RPSGB or HPC registration numbers. Staff

6 changes must be registered to ensure the correct quantity of copies are supplied. NHS organisations that do not belong to one of the categories above, who have an enquiry about supply of the BNFs can Dentists Once a year, NICE arranges for the supply of a quantity of British National Formularies (usually the autumn edition) to the Dental Practice Division of the NHS Business Services Authority. The DPD then arranges for distribution to dentists working in the community dental service, those in general dental practice who have contracts with primary care trusts (PCTs) and the dental schools. Hospitals requiring quantities for dentists working in secondary care should include these staff in their overall allocation. Cut-off dates for changes to distribution details Organisations can notify changes to their distribution details up to the following dates for each edition of the BNF/BNFC: spring edition of BNF 1 February BNF for Children 1 June autumn edition of BNF 1 August Amendments received after these dates will take effect from the next edition. Organisations should note that supply of their requirements is subject to availability at the time of dispatch. Demand for hard copy versions can exceed the total quantity available and users should ensure that they manage their allocations effectively by avoiding any wastage or misuse.

7 NHS organisations can also buy extra copies (in addition to any purchase by NICE) at a discount of 50 per cent on the published price (ten copies or more), plus postage & packing. Quantities of fewer than ten are available at full price, plus P&P. Orders are placed direct with Macmillan Distribution by telephoning or ing Orders@macmillan.co.uk. NB: If you do not hold a credit account with Macmillan Distribution, payment must be made in full when placing the order. Recycling of BNFs The Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA) operates a recycling scheme for previous editions of the BNF. The scheme recycles these to pharmaceutical member organisations in Commonwealth countries. Collections take place usually during November of each year from hospital pharmacies. The Chief Pharmacist at the Department of Health writes each year on behalf of the CPA, asking pharmacies to collect as many books as possible in preparation for collection on behalf of CPA. A notice from the publisher about the scheme is also included in every copy of the BNF. NICE June 2009