Medicines suitable for first-line use within primary care.

Can be initiated within primary care within their licensed indication, in accordance with nationally recognised formularies, for example the BNF, BNF for Children, Medicines for Children or Palliative Care Formulary. Primary care prescribers take full responsibility for prescribing. 

Medicines suitable for second-line use within primary care.

Can be initiated within primary care within their licensed indication, in accordance with nationally recognised formularies, for example the BNF, BNF for Children, Medicines for Children or Palliative Care Formulary. Primary care prescribers take full responsibility for prescribing. 

Medicines that should be initiated by a specialist. Prescribing can be transferred to primary care once the patient has been stabilised.  

Shared care: For drugs with regular, ongoing need for monitoring and/or assessment of efficacy or toxicity. Prior agreement must be obtained by the specialist from the primary care provider before prescribing responsibility is transferred. The shared care protocol must have been agreed by the relevant secondary care trust Drugs and Therapeutics Committee(s) (DTC) and approved by the North Central London JFC.

Fact sheet: For drugs with some concerns surrounding safety or efficacy but do not require regular monitoring and/or monitoring of effectiveness/toxicity.

Medicines which should normally be prescribed by specialists only (hospital only).

For patients already receiving prescriptions in primary care - continue. No new patients to receive prescriptions in primary care.

Medicines not recommended for routine use in primary or secondary care.

Medicines, which the North Central London JFC has actively reviewed and does not recommend for use at present due to limited clinical and/or cost effective data.