Formulary Group (FG)

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Role

The Formulary Group oversees the management of the Grampian Joint Formulary (GJF). New medicines for inclusion are considered based on SMC recommendations and requests from clinicians or for older drugs on the basis of local clinician requests.
The overarching aim of the Formulary Group is to develop and manage a Grampian Joint Formulary which is evidence based, takes account of both clinical and cost effectiveness and reflects local priorities, population needs and local affordability. There will be an increased emphasis on providing information regarding the background to formulary decisions and a commitment to linking the formulary with other sources of evidence and best practice. Formulary decisions aim to be delivered within agreed timescales to ensure that decisions are timely and delays in the availability of drugs, particularly those that are novel in nature, are minimised or avoided.

Remit

The remit of the Formulary Group is to:

  • Consider applications from local clinicians for drugs to be added to the formulary
  • Make decisions regarding local use of drugs subject to recommendation by the SMC/HIS
  • Prioritise the implementation of new drugs where the resources required to support local use is significant
  • Ensure that decisions are communicated to prescribers in a timely manner and the formulary is kept up to date
  • Ensure that prescribers have access to the reasoning behind formulary decisions
  • To complete decision-making processes within agreed timescales
  • Oversee a structured programme of update and review of the Grampian Joint Formulary
  • Commission short life working parties, where appropriate, to review sections of the formulary and to provide medicine reviews on specific therapeutic areas
  • Develop a GJF that is accessible to the prescriber at the point of prescription and integrated with other decision support systems and resources

Meetings

The Formulary Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month.

Membership

Membership of the Formulary Group

Chair - Dr Louise Elliot
  • Formulary Manager
  • GP representatives x 3
  • Consultant representatives x 3
  • Pharmacy Secondary Care representative
  • Pharmacy & Medicines Directorate
  • HSCP Pharmacists- Representative from the HSCP Pharmacist Group
  • Nursing representative - Nominated by the ANC
  • Patient/public representative
  • Finance representative
NB: if the membership above does not include a member of the SMC then a local member of the SMC will be co-opted to the Formulary Group
Nominated individuals, from the groups below, with open invite to attend meetings as they feel appropriate. Representatives will receive agendas and minutes and will be expected to communicate with the groups / bodies that they represent as well as the Formulary Group.
  • Dental representatives
  • Clinical effectiveness

Contact

Communication with the Formulary Group is available by:

  • email: gram.formularyteam@nhs.scot or
  • Grampian Formulary Team, Pharmacy and Medicines Directorate, Westholme, Woodend Hospital, Queens Road, Aberdeen. AB15 6LS.
Published: 10/06/2022 11:11