National consultation on items which should not be routinely prescribed
Last year 1.1 billion prescription items were dispensed in primary care at a cost of £9.2 billion. This cost coupled with finite resources means it is important that the NHS achieves the greatest value from the money that it spends.
We know that across England there is a significant difference in what is being prescribed and to whom. Often patients are receiving medicines which have been proven to be ineffective or in some cases dangerous, for which there are other more effective, safer and/or cheaper alternatives.
CCGs asked for a nationally co-ordinated approach to the development of commissioning guidance in this area to ensure consistency and address unwarranted variation. The aim is that this will lead to a more equitable process for making decisions about guidance on medicines but CCGs will need to take individual decisions on implementation locally.
You can find out more, and have your say, on the national consultation here.
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