Here are the latest updates from the Medicines Management team in Leeds. To view the table for inhaler management please click at the top of the page to view online.
£240,000 savings made on dressings in Leeds
Following the introduction of the ‘How to choose the correct dressing’ leaflet in March 2011 the total spend on topical antiseptic dressings has been reduced by almost 50% from around £500,000 to £ 262,416 per annum across all Leeds Community Healthcare Trust and primary care settings. Many thanks for all your support .
Nikki Stubbs Clinical Lead Tissue Viability Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Asthma: inhaler management
Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) has developed a poster illustrating the stepwise management of asthma and the preferred inhaler therapies used at LTHT. These are adapted from the latest British Thoracic Society (BTS) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) management advice which is summarised in the BNF.
Dabigatran is currently classified as Red for an unlicensed indication please see the Traffic Light list for details.
The place of dabigatran in the Leeds health economy has yet to be decided and prescribing in primary care is not expected.
Allergy reminder: High dose vitamin D (20,000iu) capsules
The MHRA has recently issued a safety warning regarding Dekristol (20,000 IU Colecalciferol) Capsules, which is an unlicensed product imported from Germany. It contain arachis (peanut) oil and is therefore contraindicated for patients with nut allergies. Dekristol is mentioned in the
Leeds guidance for treating vitamin D deficiency in adults, which can be found on Leeds Health Pathways. Since the guidance was produced other unlicensed preparations have become available: your Medicines Management team will be able to give you details.
Midazolam buccal safety briefing
Buccal midazolam is used in both paediatric and adult patients for a number of indications including cessation of prolonged seizures.
Recent modifications by the manufacturer regarding the syringes supplied may result in accidental overdose.
It is vital that patients and carers are counselled accordingly please refer to the briefing document which is available on the netFormulary.
Anticoagulant Service Telephone Line for Health Professionals
The anticoagulant service provided by LTHT has a telephone line dedicated to health professionals.
The Professionals Line number is 0113 2067372.
This is an interim number whilst the service develops other methods of communication.
The numbers for patients to use are: 0113 2067369 and 0113 2067371.
All the numbers are very busy and the service may not be able to answer calls at all times of the day.
If you would like to contribute to the next edition of the PharmFax, please send your articles to medicines@nhsleeds.nhs.uk by the last Friday of the month.
