Please be aware if an item does not appear on the TLS it does not automatically mean that it would be coded as GREEN. Reference to the local formulary guidance should always be made. Click on the coloured boxes below for definition & rationale explanations.
Red Drugs
Definition:
Initiation and ongoing prescribing should not be undertaken in primary care (unless as part of a specialist GPwSI service)
Rationale
- Requiring specialist assessment to enable patient selection, initiation and ongoing treatment
- Requiring long term on-going monitoring of efficacy by a specialist
- Requiring long term on-going monitoring of toxicity by a specialist (either because of difficulty in recognising side effects or high cost of investigations to identify toxicity)
- Specifically designated as “hospital only “ by product licence or by DH
- That is either a new drug or is a new indication for an existing drug, which needs evaluation to be undertaken to establish place in therapy
- That are hospital initiated clinical trial materials
- No prescribing information readily available.
- NICE guidance
Amber Drugs
Definition
Initiation and continued prescribing should only be undertaken under auspices of an agreed shared care protocol
Rationale
- Requiring specialist assessment to enable patient selection and initiation of treatment
- Requiring short or medium term (e.g. 3-6 months) specialist monitoring of efficacy or until the patient is stable.
- Requiring short or medium term specialist monitoring of toxicity
- That are very rarely used such that GPs are unlikely to see sufficient patients and acquire a working knowledge of the drug
- Specific long term monitoring for toxicity
- NICE Guidance
- Where an agreed shared care protocol exists
Amber Drugs with Guidance
Definition
Drug must be initiated and where relevant titrated to stable dosage by specialist before GPs take over prescribing responsibility. There may be a requirement for monitoring to be undertaken by the GP as defined in relevant Amber G Guidance. Please refer to the Comments for each individual drug.
Green Drugs with Guidance
Definition
Drugs for which GPs may take full responsibility for initiating and ongoing prescribing however, prescribing guidelines apply. Please refer to the Comments for each individual drug.
Green
Definition
Drugs for which GPs may take full responsibility for initiating and ongoing prescribing however, they are subject to local formulary guidelines. Drugs in this category with appear in the TLS for 6 months from consideration only.
Grey
Definition
These medicines are not recommended for initiation or prescribing on an NHS prescription in the Doncaster & Bassetlaw Health Care Communities
Rationale
- Evidence available supports that use in this area is inappropriate
- Insufficient evidence available to support its use in therapy
- Item withdrawn from market/discontinued
- Drug to be discussed at Doncaster Formulary Liaison Group/Medicines Management Committee or other groups before category agreed.