Palliative care medicines: see Palliative care section
DOAC Education Webinar
During the COVID pandemic, patients prescribed anticoagulants requiring frequent
monitoring (e.g. warfarin and INR) were advised to switch to DOACs where clinically
appropriate.
Whilst DOACs require blood tests to assess renal function throughout treatment, the
monitoring is predictable, less rigorous than INR testing with warfarin and is routinely
carried out in primary care.
In response to requests from SEL primary care committees, the SEL CVD medicines
working group has supported the changes to DOAC transfer of care with webinars
covering:
• the changes to the transfer of care for patients prescribed DOACs (in place from 1st
October 2020)
• support/guidance to monitor patients taking DOACs to ensure safety and
effectiveness
• knowing when to seek advice and guidance from hospital teams or medicines
optimisation teams
• the prescribing of DOACs in elderly and frail patients and according to their risk/
benefit
Recordings from both webinars, along with the slides and Q&A documents from the
webinars can be found below
DOAC Education webinar – 12 November 2020
DOAC Education webinar – 17 November 2020
DOAC Education webinar slides – November 2020
Q&A from both DOAC Education webinars – November 2020
Structured Medication Review
Structured Medication Review for Diabetes Webinar – 19 August 2020
Mental health structured medication review webinar – 13 August 2020
Structured Medication Review for heart failure and hypertension webinar – 11 August 2020
ACEi/ARBs
- ACE-inhibitor and ARB use during the Covid-19 outbreak – Position Statement from King’s Health Partners
Summary: King’s Health Partners cardiovascular department strongly recommends that all patient using ACE-i/ARB for hypertension, post MI LV dysfunction, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction should continue treatment with their usual therapy during the COVID-19 outbreak. - NICE Rapid Evidence Summary on ACEs and ARBs in people with or at risk of Covid-19
- MHRA advice: no concern with COVID. Do not stop
- Public article from the British Heart Foundation about ACE inhibitors, ARBs and the links with coronavirus
- Advice for patients taking ACEi/ARBs and COVID
Antibiotics
- Antimicrobial Stewardship resources
- Southwark and Lambeth Antimicrobial Guidelines
- Southwark Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) and Exacerbation of COPD in the Covid-19 pandemic guide
Anticoagulation
- National guidance. Includes advice on management of patients taking warfarin in primary care during the Covid-19 pandemic, with recommendations to help minimise attendances
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine
Controlled Drugs
Management of controlled drugs during coronavirus pandemic. CD National Newsletter August 2020
Dermatology
- NICE dermatology immunosuppressant advice
- Updated Emollient Guideline for SEL
- SEL Dermatology Guidelines for Primary Care
EPS
Roll out of Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) Phase 4
- Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) – eRD NHS BSA Webinar – 09/11/2020
Heart-Failure
Hospital Only Medications (Guide to reconciliation in Primary Care)
Guidance on reconciling hospital only medicines in primary care: This guide aims to improve safety for people prescribed hospital only medicines, so that there are accurate records of these medicines within primary care practice systems.
Illicit drugs
The supply of illicit drugs into the UK has reduced significantly and will continue to reduce further. The result of this is that street prices of illicit drugs are rising, and their quality is diminishing. The illicit trade in prescription medication such as diazepam and pregabalin is increasing with reports that prices have already doubled.
To prevent the levels of theft that are likely to seriously affect operational effectiveness and the safety of all staff at this most critical time, organisations should urgently review their current security arrangements.
Inhalers
- Guide for alternative inhalers during stock shortages (please note this document is from April, and there are no longer currently significant supply shortages. However, this document can be used if there is a need to switch patients back to their original inhalers, or to check dose equivalences).
Multi Compartment Aids
NSAIDS
Pharmacological management of Adult non-cancer chronic pain
Rheumatology
Selfcare patient support information
Shortages