The Formulary

In the UK, we use the British National Formulary, which is part of the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). The BNF provides Key information on the selection, prescribing, dispensing and administration of medicines. The BNF is a resource that provides information about medicines. It includes details such as indications, dosage, contraindications, cautions, interactions, and side effects and information for use during pregnancy and

breastfeeding.

BNF (British National Formulary) | NICE

Your Local Formulary

The Department for Health ensures that patients and service users have access to recommended medicines and medical devices. A formulary is a locally developed list of medicines deemed suitable for prescribing by the local NHS. The formulary must be published online so that patients and service users can understand the treatments available on the NHS,

It may also include some other products which can be provided on prescription, such as dressings. The formulary covers:

prescriptions written in primary care
prescriptions or recommendations by hospital doctors of outpatients or patients leaving the hospital after an admission

In these situations, prescribers are asked to take the medicine e list fully into account when deciding how to treat patients.

Under the NHS framework, Integrated Care Boards now oversee medicines governance and formulary decisions, guided by NICE assessments and local evidence. They collaborate with prescribing committees to evaluate clinical and cost-effectiveness, develop formularies, and implement guidance. Medicines not positively appraised by NICE are decided locally, with transparency and rationality, ensuring patient rights and proper governance across primary and secondary care.