Prescribing Resources

This page is aimed at providing prescribers in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with useful other resources that have been developed. It is not intended to contain guidelines (see Clinical Guidelines). This is an alphabetical list:

Adding Medicines to EMIS and VISION that are not to be supplied by GP practices

Within General Practice, it is beneficial to ensure that a patient's medicine record includes medicines that may be prescribed and supplied outwith the GP practice, such as the acute sector, community mental health teams etc. This Medicines Update Blog (published in January 2022) shows how to add medicines that do not require supply to the most frequently used GP computer systems.

Adult Gentamicin and Vancomycin Calculators

The adult gentamicin and vancomycin calculators are intended for use only within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and are available via the Clinical Info pages on StaffNet or the GGC Medicines app.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants

The following prescribing resources has been produced to assist prescribers in the use of these agents for patients with AF and for VTE.

DOAC Prescribing Guidance in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation and VTE (MU Extra 07) - March 2018

This bulletin is in the process of being replaced with a Medicines Update blog series on DOACs. Blogs in the series published to date include:

Other sources:

NHSGGC DOAC Patient Information Booklet and Alert Card

Gluten-Free Foods and Products

NES Pharmacy Gluten-Free Foods Pack learning resource (2017)

Guidance on the use of specials in primary care

These documents offer prescribers in primary care guidance about when it is appropriate to prescribe a 'special', what the responsibilities are of those involved in the prescribing and dispensing and advice on the types of specials that are approved for routine use within NHSGGC.

NHS GGC Specials Guidance for Primary Care - April 2021
MHRA: Supply of unlicensed medicinal products specials - 2014
Alternative to Specials A-Z Database (PrescQIPP) (registration for an account may be required)

Inhaler Device and Asthma/COPD Resources

This section includes guidance for device choices in asthma and COPD, generic patient information leaflets for staff involved in training patients on how to use their inhaler devices and a Good Practice Guide which aids device identification.

Asthma and COPD Inhaler Device Guides - August 2021
Inhaler Devices - Generic Patient Information Leaflets - May 2019
Respiratory Inhaler: Identification Chart - January 2017
Inhaler Technique Guide for Healthcare Professionals - January 2017
Respiratory Inhalers: List for GP Reception Staff - November 2015
Asthma Self Management Plan (Adults) - October 2016
Greener Prescribing - inhaler toolkit - September 2022
Greener Prescribing - inhaler recycling poster - September 2022

IV Immunoglobulins

Information for the prescribing of IV immunoglobulins, including request forms and infusion schedules can be accessed from this designated page on SharePoint

IV Immunoglobulins

Medication review - tools

The tools below can support a mindful prescribing approach:

Medicinal Cannabis

Medicinal Cannabis - Guidance for Prescribers (last updated June 2023)

MHRA Drug Safety Update

This webpage and monthly newsletter provide healthcare professionals with up to date safety information and warning for medicines. You can access the page via the MHRA website HERE

Near Patient Testing (NPT)

Details of the contract arrangements for NPT can be found on the Primary Care GMS Contract Team page on StaffNet (click here, access to NHS Network required).

New lipid lowering medicines: alirocumab and evolocumab

A brief summary of key prescribing information for GPs (June 2017)

Non-Prescription of Antibiotics

The Royal College of General Practitioners has produced a useful patient information leaflet that can be issued to patients to explain how they can self-manage some of the most common infections, therefore often avoiding inappropriate antibiotic use. The leaflet is available for download in various languages and formats and replaces the non-prescription pads that were obtained from this page previously.