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Ketamine and S-Ketamine now Schedule 2 controlled drugs

30th November 2015

From 30 November 2015 ketamine (and also S-ketamine) will be classified as Schedule 2 controlled drugs (previously Schedule 4; part 1). This follows the legislation changes approved by Parliament for England, Scotland and Wales earlier this year (see our news item).

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FDA approves naloxone nasal spray

26th November 2015

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a naloxone nasal spray (Narcan; Adapt Pharma) to treat opioid overdose. The US Product Information can be downloaded from here. It is expected to be commercially available in the US early 2016.

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New look BNF and BNFC launched

26th November 2015

The BNF and BNF for children (BNFC) have undergone several changes to their structure and layout. The new format was published in print in September and launched on-line in November. The previous old style versions (renamed BNF Legacy and BNFC Legacy) are available on-line alongside the new format on www.medicinescomplete.com for an interim period.

Following a number of discussions and e-mail threads on various forums discussing the identification of dose errors and changes in presentation, the BNF, UKMI and NPPG (Neontal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group) have put together a joint statement to clarify some of the issues raised. This can be downloaded from below. In addition there is a new section on the BNF website http://www.bnf.org/corrections/ which contains clarifications and corrections.

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Controlled drug requisition requirements and instalment prescribing

18th November 2015

From 30 November 2015, an approved form will be mandatory when requisitioning Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs in the community (note hospices and prisons are exempt). For England there is a new approved requisition form in electronic format that is available on the NHS Business Services Authority website. This replaces the form that is currently used in England. Scotland and Wales will continue to use the forms under their existing arrangements.

In addition, a new set of approved wording for instalment prescribing of controlled drugs has been introduced. The new set of wording is shorter in length and more flexible than the current set of approved wording. The expectation is that prescribers will take steps to move to the new set of approved wording in the coming months. However, all legal prescriptions which incorporate the old wording clearly establishing the intentions of the prescriber should continue to be accepted and dispensed, unless in the professional judgment of the pharmacist there are reasons why these prescriptions should not be accepted.

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Consultation on the prescribing of Specials

10th November 2015

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), at the request of NICE, are updating the 2012 NPC and NICE guidance for the prescribers of Specials and have produced draft guidance for consultation. The document can be downloaded from the RPS website, or the link below. Comments from individuals and organisations are requested by 14 December 2015.

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Cochrane review: Oral tapentadol for cancer pain

10th November 2015

A new Cochrane review on oral tapentadol for cancer pain (CD011460) has been published in full on-line. The authors’ concluded that there was little evidence to suggest that tapentadol should be considered above other opioids for the treatment of cancer-related pain in terms of benefits or harms, and that current policies on the use of opioids, particularly morphine, do not need to be amended.

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