Greater Glasgow and Clyde Medicines

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Key messages:

• Lidocaine plasters are now non-formulary in NHSGGC.
• Prescribing data shows a sustained downward trend in the number of patients prescribed lidocaine plasters, with the associated reduction in spend within NHSGGC.
• April 2024 – January 2025  - there has been a 48.78 % reduction in the number of patients prescribed lidocaine plasters in Primary Care and a 47.41% reduction in spend.
• Reducing inappropriate prescribing of lidocaine plasters has been a focus of the NHSGGC Cost Efficiency Workplan since April 2024 and will continue to be a focus for 2025/26.
• Continue to review regularly with trials of reduction/cessation.
• Patients who have been using lidocaine plasters for more than 6 months, should trial stopping.
• De-prescribe in all patients where possible.

To access the full blog via Microsoft Sway, click here

To access the full blog via Microsoft Sway, click here

To access the full blog via Microsoft Sway, click here

Key messages

• The majority of NHSGGC Community Pharmacies can provide antibiotics and/or steroids via a patient group direction (PGD) for self-management of COPD exacerbations.
• Training is required for Pharmacies to take part.
• A COPD Rescue Medication Card is required to obtain supply.

Key Messages

• The increased risk of bleeding observed with the combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and SSRIs and oral anticoagulants (OACs) is higher than with use of each medicine class alone.
• The evidence for serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (e.g. venlafaxine and duloxetine) is limited, however due to the similar effects on serotonin, the same advice given for SSRIs should be followed.
• The combination of SSRIs and NSAIDs is not recommended; if this is unavoidable, a formulary choice Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) should be used (Refer to the GGC PPI Guidelines and NSAID Guidelines).
• Due to the increased risk of major bleeding with concomitant SSRIs and OACs, consider individual patient factors before co-prescribing; if clinically appropriate, prescribe a formulary choice PPI.
• The evidence for increased risk of bleeding in the combination of an SSRI and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is limited. When deciding if a PPI is necessary, an individual patient’s additional risk factors should be considered.
• For patients on any of the above combinations, risk factors should be monitored and managed to improve safety outcomes.

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Key messages: 

• Antidepressant prescribing continues to rise, while benzodiazepine and z-hypnotic (B-Z) prescribing is reducing slowly, and long-term use remains an issue.
• Proactively reviewing antidepressant and B-Z prescribing aligns with a range of NHSGGC prescribing initiatives and National Therapeutic Indicators (NTIs).
• Proactive medication reviews, when patients are stable and not experiencing crises, may be lacking and leads to medicines being continued inappropriately.
• Toolkits to support reviews are now available on Right Decision Service (antidepressants and B-Zs).

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Key messages: 

• NHSGGC has various online clinical resources designed to aid safe prescribing and administration of medicines. The resources detailed in this blog should be your first port of call when looking for information.
• Search engines may find clinical information that is out-of-date or not relevant for use in NHSGGC. Using a search engine is not advised for finding NHSGGC clinical information, however, if using one, make sure any results you find are relevant to NHSGGC. Including “GGC” in your search term may help narrow down relevant results, but still always check the information is applicable to GGC and that it is the most current guidance.
• Only use the NHSGGC validated calculators for gentamicin, vancomycin and creatinine clearance (CrCl). These are available within NHSGGC resources (via Clinical Info on Staffnet and the GGC Medicines App). Do not use calculators found elsewhere on the internet, as other health boards’ guidance and dosing may differ.

To access the full blog via Microsoft Sway, click here

To access the full blog via Microsoft Sway, click here