netFormulary NHS
North East and North Cumbria
ICS Formulary
 Introduction
Welcome to the Shared Formulary for the North East / North Cumbria Integrated Care System

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Please click below to download application form for addition or
amendments to North East and North Cumbria (NENC) ICS Formulary

Application Form

Local Guidelines and Information Leaflets

County Durham  and Darlington North Cumbria North of Tyne, Gateshead and North Cumbria South Tyneside and Sunderland Tees

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North East and North Cumbria ICS NTAG RDTC
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 Last updated: 26th February 2024

Formulary Amendments
Chapter Change Reason for change
02.16 Mavacamten for treating symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy NICE TA913 &
NHSE SSC2590
04.02.01 Addition of benperidol for control of deviant antisocial sexual behaviour Formulary merger
04.09.03 Riluzole for the treatment of Motor Neuron Disease with swallowing difficulties where crushing tablets is not appropriate NENC Medicines Committee approval
07.04.05 Tadalafil 5mg daily tablets for erectile dysfunction NENC Medicines Committee approval
08.01.05 Atezolizumab - new subcutaneous formulation added NHSE SSC2560
08.01.05 Daratumumab with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for untreated multiple myeloma when a stem cell transplant is unsuitable NICE TA917 &
NHSE SSC 2565
08.01.05 Glofitamab for treating relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after 2 or more systemic treatments NICE TA927 &
NHSE SSC 2574
08.01.05 Imlifidase for desensitisation treatment before kidney transplant in people with chronic kidney disease (NICE TA809) NHSE SSC2568
08.01.05 Olaparib for maintenance treatment of relapsed, platinum-sensitive ovarian, falloian tube or peritoneal cancer after 2 or more courses of platinum-based chemotherapy (NICE TA908) NHSE SSC2566
08.01.05 Pembrolizumab for previously treated endometrial, bilary, colorectal, gastric and small intestine cancer with high microsetellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency NICE TA914 &
NHSE SSC 2593
08.01.05 Pembrolizumab with lenvatinib for previously treated advance or recurrent endometrial cancer (NICE TA904) NHSE SSC 2561
08.01.05 Ruxolitinib for treating polycythaemia vera NICE TA921 &
NHSE SSC 2564
08.01.05 Crizanlizumab removed from the formulary NHSE SSC2609 & MHRA Drug Safety Recall
08.03.04.02 Darolutamide with androgen deprivation therapy and docetaxel for treating hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer (NICE TA903) NHSE SSC 2562
09.02.01.02 Sodium Chloride 5mmol/ml oral solution in accordance with NPPG/RCPH Position Statement NENC Medicines Committee approval
09.06.04 Adcal-D3 effervescent tablets and Cacit D3 sachets following discontinuation of Calfovit D3 effervescent granules. Merged all preparations into one calcium carbonate/colecalciferol entry  NENC Medicines Committee approval
09.08.01 Cipaglucosidase alfa (CIPA) plus miglustat for treating late-onset Pompe disease in adults. Information only NICE TA912 & NHSE SSC 2557
10.01.03 Bimekizumab for treating axial spondyloarthritis NICE TA918
10.01.03 Tofacitinib for treating active ankylosing spondylitis NICE TA920
10.02.02 Quinine sulphate for nocturnal leg cramps NENC Medicines Committee approval
12.01.01 Ciprofloxacin ear drops 0.2% for the treatment of otitis externa. Changed fron Green+ to Green NENC Medicines Committee approval
12.01.02 Otitis media with effusion in under 12s - link added NICE NG233 
13.02.01 AquaGel (oil free) lubricating jelly for the relief of dryness of the nose, lips and face when a patient is using oxygen via nasal prongs CPAP masks etc NENC Medicines Committee approval
13.08.01 Anthelios Sunscreen Lotion following the discontinuation of Sunsense NENC Medicines Committee approval
15.01.04.01 Midazolam 10mg/2ml injection in palliative care. Changed from Green+ to Green NENC Medicines Committee approval

A formulary is only as good as the guidelines which underpin it. It is essential that this formulary is used in conjunction with the current guidelines. Throughout this formulary links to NICE and local guidelines are provided. This guidance should be read before selecting a drug from this formulary.

It is recognised that we cannot expect 100% compliance. This formulary will only cover 80-90% of what may be needed for individual patients. This formulary is expected to cover the majority of occasions but in exceptional circumstances both parties may agree to work outside of this guidance. Where necessary, secondary and primary care prescribers should discuss the appropriate management of individual patients personally.

 The contents of the formulary are supported by:

  • NENC North East and North Cumbria ICB
  • County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
  • Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
  • Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
  • Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • North Cumbria University Hospital NHS Trust
  • North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
  • Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
  • Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust

 The formulary is intended to:

  • encourage safe, effective and economical prescribing
  • enable safe and effective transfer of prescribing from secondary to primary care
  • facilitate continuity of treatment and minimise supply problems.

 It is not intended to be a comprehensive prescribing guide or to replace the BNF or BNF for children.

 Medicines are listed in chapters and subsections that generally correspond with those in the legacy BNF .

 Where appropriate the formulary gives information as to which drugs are regarded as being the first choice and alternatives. Where no ranking of drugs is stated, products are listed alphabetically.

 For hospital prescribers please note that not all formulary approved medicines will be available for prescribing and use in all organisations due to differences in commissioned services and stock holding or preferences in each organisation. Please consultant Pharmacy within your organisation.

Does the ICS single formulary cover every medication?

The formulary is comprehensive but will not cover every medicine in every situation.  Some patients may already be stabilised on non-formulary medications and it is not intended for these patients to be changed to formulary choices unless appropriate to do so. Whilst the formulary aims to standardise practice it is recognised that individual patients may require medicines which lie outside this guidance.

What if I feel the entry in the ICS single formulary is not correct?

Historically across the NENC ICS area there were three formularies and now there is a single ICS-wide formulary. There has been wide consultation on the new ICS Single formulary which was put together by team of stakeholders from across the NENC and based on an harmonisation exercise undertaken over the past 12 months comparing the three previous formularies in the NENC and reaching a consensus where there was a difference.

With merger of three formularies, the ICS has tried to ensure links and vital clinical information is not lost from entries in the formulary.  However, if you feel that an entry is not correct please email the Regional Drug and therapeutics Centre nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net  The RDTC is being used as a central point to collate any feedback to pass on to the relevant group within the ICB for action and is not responsible for the formulary.

Process for formulary applications for ICS for NENC ICS

  • All formulary applications or amendments from partner organisations in the NENC ICS should be submitted via nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net for consideration at the Formulary Working Group.

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