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 Formulary Chapter 18: Wound Care - Full Chapter
Notes:

Refer to Local Guidelines & Resources:

 

  • County Durham & Darlington Tissue Viability Team Tel: 0191 5692970
  • Northumbria Tissue Viability Service: 01670 859 030
  • NuTH Tissue Viability Service: service1@nhs.net
  • South Tyneside & Sunderland Tissue Viability Team: 0191 2831432
 Details...
18.01  Basic wound contact dressings
18.01.01  Low adherence dressings
Atrauman
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
N/A Ultra® (Silicone-coated)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Paraffin Gauze Dressing BP Sterile (Paranet®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
18.01.02  Absorbent dressings
18.01.02  For lightly exuding wounds
Cosmopor E®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Absorbent Perforated Dressing with Adhesive Border

 
 
Melolin®
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green

Absorbent, Perforated Plastic Film Faced, Dressing

  • Podiatry use only
 
 
Solvaline N®
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green

Absorbent, Perforated Plastic Film Faced, Dressing

  • Podiatry use only
 
 
18.01.02  For moderately to heavily exuding wounds to top
Zetuvit® E
(Sterile)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
First Choice
Green

Absorbent Cellulose Dressing with Fluid Repellent Backing 

 
Eclyspe® adherent
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus

Soft silicone wound contact layer with absorbent pad and film-backing

  • Specialist initiation only
 
 
18.01.02  For heavily exuding wounds
Zetuvit Plus®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
First Choice
Green

Super absorbent cellulose primary dressing

 
KerraMax® Care
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Second Choice
Green

Super absorbent cellulose primary dressing

 
 
18.02  Advanced wound dressings
18.02.01  Hydrogel dressings
18.02.01  Hydrogel application (amorphous)
ActivHeal® Hydrogel
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • 8g only
 
 
18.02.01  Hydrogel sheet dressings to top
18.02.01.01  Sodium hyaluronate dressings
18.02.02  Vapour-permeable films and membranes
18.02.02  Vapour-permeable Adhesive Film Dressing (Semi-permeable Adhesive Dressing)
18.02.02  Vapour-permeable Adhesive Film Dressing with absorbent pad
Opsite® Post-Op
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
First Choice
Green
 
Hydrofilm® Plus
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Primary care only
 
 
Tegaderm® with pad
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
18.02.02  For intravenous and subcutaneous catheter sites to top
Tegaderm Film
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
  • IV/sc dressing and podiatry use only
 
 
18.02.03  Soft polymer dressings
18.02.03  Without absorbent pad
Adaptic® Touch
(Sterile)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Non-adherent soft silicone wound Contact Dressing

 
 
Kendall Telfa Clear®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Clear non-adherent wound contact layer

 
 
Urgotul®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Non-adherent soft polymer wound contact dressing

 
 
18.02.03  With absorbent pad
Allevyn® Gentle
(Sterile)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Soft Polymer Wound Contact Dressing with Polyurethane Foam Film Backing

 
 
Allevyn® Gentle Border
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Silicone gel wound contact dressing, with polyurethane foam film backing

 
 
Allevyn® Life
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Soft silicone wound contact dressing, with central mesh screen, polyurethane foam film backing and adhesive border

 
 
Biatain® Silicone
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Silicone gel wound contact dressing, with polyurethane foam film backing

 
 
Biatain® Silicone Lite
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Silicone gel wound contact dressing, with polyurethane foam film backing

 
 
Mepilex® Border
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Absorbent soft silicone dressing with polyurethane foam and adhesive border

 
 
Mepilex® Border Post-op
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Mepilex® ST
(Previously Mepilex®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Absorbent soft silicone dressing with polyurethane foam film backing 

 
 
Allevyn® Gentle Border Lite
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green

Silicone gel wound contact dressing, with polyurethane foam film backing

  • Podiatry only
 
 
Mepilex® Border lite
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green

Thin absorbent soft silicone dressing with polyurethane foam and adhesive border

  • Paediatrics only 
 
 
18.02.03  Bio-cellulose dressings
18.02.04  Hydrocolloid dressings to top
18.02.04  Without adhesive border
DuoDERM® Extra Thin
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Semi-permeable hydrocolloid dressing

 
 
18.02.04  With adhesive border
18.02.04  Hydrocolloid-fibrous dressings
Aquacel® Extra
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Soft sterile non-woven pad containing hydrocolloid fibres.

  • Provides greater tensile strength compared to aquacel 
 
 
Aquacel® Foam
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red

Soft non-woven pad containing hydrocolloid-fibres with foam layer, without adhesive border

 
 
Aquacel® Foam Border
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red

Soft non-woven pad containing hydrocolloid-fibres with foam layer, with adhesive border

 
 
Aquacel® Surgical cover dressing
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
  • Not to be prescribed on FP10
 
 
18.02.04  Polyurethane matrix dressing
18.02.05  Foam dressings to top
18.02.05  For lightly exuding wounds
18.02.05  For lightly to moderately exuding wounds
18.02.05  For moderately to heavily exuding wounds
Allevyn® Adhesive
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Polyurethane Foam Film Dressing with Adhesive Border

 

 
 
ActivHeal Foam
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red

Polyurethane Foam Film Dressing without Adhesive Border

 
 
18.02.06  Alginate dressings
ActivHeal® Alginate
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Calcium sodium alginate dressing

 
 
ActivHeal® Aquafiber
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Non-woven, calcium sodium alginate dressing

 
 
Meglisorb®
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Calcium sodium alginate fibre, highly absorbent, gelling dressing, non-woven 

 
 
Sorbsan ® Ribbon
(40cm with 12.5cm probe)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Calcium alginate fibre, highly absorbent

 
 
18.02.07  Capillary-action dressings to top
DrawTex®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus

Super absorbent hydroconductive dressing with absorbent, cross-action structures of viscose, polyester and cotton

 
 
18.02.08  Odour absorbent dressings
18.03  Antimicrobial dressings
18.03.01  Honey
18.03.01  Sheet dressing
Algivon®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus

Absorbent, non-adherent calcium alginate dressing impregnated with medical grade manuka honey

  • Specialist use only
 
 
18.03.01  Honey-based topical application to top
L-Mesitran® Ointment
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green

Medical grade honey



  • Specialist tissue viability nurse use or recommendation only

 
 
L-Mesitran® Ointment S
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green

Medical grade honey



  • Specialist tissue viability nurse use or recommendation only

 
 
18.03.02  Iodine
Iodoflex®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red

Iodine 0.9% as cadexomer-iodine in a paste basis with gauze backing

  • Specialist use only
 
 
Iodosorb® Ointment
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red

Iodine 0.9% as cadexomer-iodine in an ointment basis

  • Specialist use only
 
 
Povitulle®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Knitted viscose primary dressing impregnated with povidone-iodine ointment

  • First choice in primary care 
 
 
Inadine®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Alternatives
Green

Knitted viscose primary dressing impregnated with povidone-iodine ointment

 

 
 
18.03.03  Silver
18.03.03  Low adherence dressings
Acticoat® Flex 3
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus

Conformable antimicrobial barrier dressing consisting of polyester core between low adherent silver-coated high density polyethylene mesh.

  • Specialist initiation only 
 
 
Acticoat® Flex 7
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus

Conformable antimicrobial barrier dressing consisting of polyester core between low adherent silver-coated high density polyethylene mesh.

  • Specialist initiation only
 
 
18.03.03  With charcoal
Actisorb Silver 220
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Knitted fabric of activated charcoal with one-way stretch, with silver residues, within spun-bound nylon sleeve

 
 
18.03.03  Soft polymer dressings to top
18.03.03  Hydrocolloid dressings
Aquacel® Ag Extra
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
18.03.03  Foam dressings
18.03.03  Alginate dressings
Tegaderm® Alginate Ag
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Calcium alginate and carboxymethylcellulose dressing with silver

 
 
Askina® Calgitrol 15g Paste
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green
  • Specialist use only
 
 
18.03.04  Other antimicrobials
Flaminal ® Hydro Gel
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Alginate with glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase, for lightly to moderately exuding wounds                                                                  

 
 
Flaminal® Forte Gel
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Alginate with glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase, for moderately to heavily exuding wounds                                                                  

 
 
Kendall® AMD Antimicrobial Foam
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • 5cm x 5cm and 8.8cm x 7.5cm only 
 
 
Kendall® AMD Foam Discs
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Prontosan® Wound Irrigation Solution
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus

Aqueous solution containing betaine surfactant and polihexanide

  • Specialist use only
 
 
Prontosan® Wound Gel 30ml
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus

Hydrogel containing betaine surfactant and polihexanide

  • Specialist use only
 
 
18.04  Specialised dressings to top
18.04.01  Protease-modulating matrix dressings
18.04.02  Silicone keloid dressings
18.04.02  Silicone sheets
Mepiform®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus

Silicone gel sheet

  • Burns Team and scar clinic initiation only

 

 
 
Scar FX®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus

Silicone gel sheet

  • Burns Team and scar clinic initiation only

 

 
 
Silgel®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus

Silicone gel sheet

  • Burns Team and scar clinic initiation only

 

 
 
18.04.02  Silicone gel
Dermatix® 15g Gel
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus

Silicone gel



  • Burns Team and scar clinic initiation only

 
 
Kelo-Cote® 15g Gel
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus

Silicone gel



  • Burns Team and scar clinic initiation only


 


 

 
 
18.05  Adjunct dressings and appliances to top
Eakin® Wound Pouches
(Pelican Manager)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
 
 
UCS® Debridement
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Debrisoft®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus

Polyester fibres with bound edges and knitted outer surface coated with polyacrylate

  • Specialist initiation only
 
 
18.05.01  Gauze and tissue
18.05.01  Surgical absorbents
18.05.01  Cotton
18.05.01  Lint
18.05.01  Pads to top
18.05.02  Wound drainage pouches
18.05.03  Physical debridement pads
18.06  Complex adjunct therapies
18.06.01  Topical negative pressure therapy
ActiV.A.C.®
(KCI)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus
 
 
PICO® Single Use NPWT System
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus
 
 
Renasys® Go
(Smith & Nephew)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus
 
 
V.A.C.® Dressing
(KCI)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus
 
 
18.06.01  Vacuum assisted closure products to top
18.06.01  Wound drainage collection devices
18.06.01  Accessories
18.07  Wound care accessories
18.07.01  Dressing packs
Polyfield ® Nitrile Patient Pack
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
First Choice
Green

Contains powder-free nitrile gloves, laminate sheet, non-woven swabs, towel, polythene disposable bag, apron

  • First choice on FP10
 
Dressit®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Second Choice
Green

Contains vitrex gloves, large apron, disposable bag, paper towel, soft swabs, absorbent pad and sterile field.

  • Second choice on FP10. 
 
 
Nurse It® Dressing Pack
(Sterile)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Contains latex-free, powder-free nitrile gloves, sterile laminated paper sheet, large apron, non-woven swabs, paper towel, disposable bag, compartmented tray, disposable forceps, paper measuring tape

 
 
Softdrape® Universal Dressing Pack
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Latex free; includes Vitrex gloves

  • Northumbria only
 
 
Sterile Gloves
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
18.07.02  Woven and fabric swabs to top
Non-woven Fabric Swab
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Non-woven fabric folded 4-ply

 
 
Appeel® Single Use Wipes
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus
  • Specialist use only 
 
 
18.07.03  Surgical adhesive tapes
18.07.03  Permeable adhesive tapes
Hypafix®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Permeable, Apertured Non-Woven Synthetic Adhesive Tape, BP 1988

 
 
Mefix®
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Permeable, Apertured Non-Woven Synthetic Adhesive Tape, BP 1988

 

 
 
Scanpor®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Permeable Non-woven Synthetic Adhesive Tape, BP 1988 

  • Primary care only
 
 
Transpore®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red

Permeable Non-woven Synthetic Adhesive Tape, BP 1988 

  • Secondary care only
 
 
18.07.03  Occlusive adhesive tapes
18.07.04  Adhesive dressings
18.07.04  Vapour permeable adhesive dressings to top
18.07.05  Skin closure dressings
18.07.05  Skin closure strips, sterile
18.08  Bandages
18.08.01  Non-extensible bandages
18.08.02  Light-weight conforming bandages to top
Hospilite®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Cotton, Polyamide and Elastane Bandage

 
 
Actiwrap® Latex-free Bandage
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Polyamide and Cellulose Contour Bandage, BP 1988

 

 
 
K-Band®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green

Knitted Polyamide and Cellulose Contour Bandage, BP 1988

 
 
18.08.03  Tubular bandages and garments
18.08.03  Elasticated
Elasticated Tubular Bandages BP 1993 (Comfigrip®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Elasticated Viscose Stockinette (Clinifast® range)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Elasticated Viscose Stockinette (Comfifast® range)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
18.08.03  Non-elasticated
Cotton Stockinette Bleached BP 1988 (Comfi-gauz® )
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
18.08.03  Silk Clothing
18.08.04  Support bandages to top
Knitted Elastomer and Viscose Bandage (K- Lite®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
18.08.05  Adhesive bandages
18.08.06  Cohesive bandages
18.08.06  Cohesive extensible bandages
18.08.07  Compression bandages
18.08.07  High compression bandage to top
18.08.07  Short stretch compression bandage
Short Stretch Compression Bandages
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Comprilan®
  • Actico®
 
 
Coban® 2 Comfort Foam Layer
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus
  • Used in lymphoedema
  • Specialist use 
 
 
Coban® 2 Compression Layer
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus
  • Used in lymphoedema
  • Specialist use 
 
 
18.08.07  Sub-compression wadding bandage
Sub-compression wadding bandage
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Profore®
  • Flexi-Ban®
  • FormFlex natural (not on FP10)  
 
 
18.08.08  Multi-layer compression bandaging
18.08.08  Four layer systems
Four layer systems
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Profore® Kit
  • Profore® Lite Kit
 
 
18.08.08  Two layer systems to top
AndoFlex® TLC
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus
  • Specialist use only
 
 
Coban® 2 Layer
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus
  • Specialist use only
 
 
Coban® 2 Layer Lite
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus
  • Specialist use only
 
 
Juxta CURES®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus
  • Specialist use only
 
 
AndoFlex® UBZ
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus
  • Specialist use only
 
 
18.08.09  Medicated bandages
Zinc Paste and Ichthammol Bandage, BP 1993 (Ichthopaste® )
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Zinc Paste Bandage, BP 1993 (Viscopaste® PB7)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
18.08.09  Medicated stocking
18.09  Compression hosiery and garments
18.09.01  Graduated compression hosiery
Activa® hosiery
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Medi® hosiery
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Actilymph®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Altiform® Hosiery
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Altipress®
(UNDER REVIEW)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
18.09.01  Accessories to top
18.09.01  Suspender
18.09.01  Anklets
18.09.01  Knee caps
18.09.02  Lymphoedema garments
18.10  Other Wound Products to top
 note 

Other wound products not listed in BNF, but on Drug Tariff or available from NHS Supply Chain

Acti-glide®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Kerraped®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Kerrapro® Pressure Reducing Pads
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Seal Tight® Wound Care Protector
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Limbo® Waterproof Protector
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Medi Derma® S
(Barrier Cream)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • sachet
  • 28g
  • 90g 

 

 
 
Medi Derma® S
(Barrier Film)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • 1ml applicator
  • 3ml applicator
  • 50ml aerosol
  • 30ml pump spray
 
 
18.11  Skin cleansers and promotion of wound healing
18.11.01  Skin cleansers and antiseptics
Sodium chloride 0.9%
(Sterile)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Irrippod® (20mL & 100ml sachets)
  • Miniversol® (45ml)
 
 
18.11.07  Preparations for promotion of wound healing
Sterile Larvae (Biobag®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus
  • Specialist use only
 
 
Sterile Larvae (Larvae 300®)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Restricted Drug Restricted
Green plus
  • Specialist Use Only
 
 
 ....
 Non Formulary Items
Silk garments

View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Non Formulary
Black
  • Silk Garments are classified as BLACK - not approved.
  
Key
note Notes
Section Title Section Title (top level)
Section Title Section Title (sub level)
First Choice Item First Choice item
Non Formulary Item Non Formulary section
Restricted Drug
Restricted Drug
Unlicensed Drug
Unlicensed
Track Changes
Display tracking information
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to adult BNF
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to children's BNF
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to SPCs
Cytotoxic Drug
Cytotoxic Drug
CD
Controlled Drug
High Cost Medicine
High Cost Medicine
NHSE
NHS England
Homecare
Homecare
CCG
CCG

Traffic Light Status Information

Status Description

Red

Drugs for hospital use only. The responsibility for initiation and monitoring treatment should rest with an appropriate hospital clinician and the drug should be supplied through the hospital throughout the duration of treatment. In some very exceptional circumstances (e.g. due to distance from the hospital, storage, supply or mobility/transport problems) it may be appropriate for the GP to be asked to prescribe a Red drug. This should be negotiated on an individual patient basis and should only be done with the GP’s prior informed agreement where the roles of the GP and hospital services are clearly defined and agreed. The GP should not feel under pressure to prescribe in these circumstances. For all RED drugs automatically added to the formulary in response to a positive NICE TA: Prescribers need to ensure that local Trust new drug governance procedures and pharmacy processes are followed before any prescribing.  

Amber

Drugs initiated by hospital specialist, but where continuing treatment by GPs may be appropriate under a shared care arrangement. The specialist should send the GP a copy of the shared care agreement to sign. The GP should sign the shared care agreement, or indicate they do not want to be part of such an agreement, and return a copy back to the specialist. Shared care guidelines are available or are being developed for most of the drugs listed as Amber. If no shared care guideline is available, the hospital specialist should provide the patient’s GP with sufficient information and support to allow treatment to be continued and managed safely in primary care.  

Green plus

Drugs normally recommended or initiated by a specialist (hospital or GP with an extended role https://www.rcgp.org.uk/gpwer), but can be safely maintained in primary care with very little or no monitoring required. In some cases there may be a further restriction for use outlined - these will be defined in each case. Provision of additional information, or an information leaflet, may be appropriate in some cases to facilitate continuing treatment by GPs.  

Green

Drugs where prescribing by GPs is appropriate. Can be initiated and prescribed in all care settings, and if appropriate, discontinued without recourse to secondary care.  

Black

NOT APPROVED: Drugs that have been considered by NTAG or the NENC ICB Medicines Subcommittee (or other approved body) and are not approved for prescribing within the North East and North Cumbria.   

Brown

UNDER REVIEW: drugs whose current formulary status or RAG status is currently under review.  

Not Recomended

NOT REVIEWED: Drugs that haven not been reviewed yet. This usually means that an application is in progress. These drugs are not normally considered appropriate for prescribing in the North East and North Cumbria until such time that a decision is taken on their formulary status.  

netFormulary