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 Formulary Chapter 13: Skin - Full Chapter
Notes:

This chapter of the formulary is under continual development, please let the team know if you have any comments about the contents: mlcsu.lscformulary@nhs.net. 

For more information about the formulary development process, please see: https://www.lancsmmg.nhs.uk/lancashire-and-south-cumbria-icb-formulary-development/

Dermatology prescribing may require use of expensive unlicensed
creams and ointments (known as ‘Specials’). Please consult the revised British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) list of preferred Specials (2018) for advice on appropriate product choice.

Specials Recommended by the British Association of Dermatologists for Skin Disease

Several medicines in the skin chapter are available for purchase over the counter and may be appropriate for self care. Please consult the local OTC policy for more details.

LSCMMG: Over The Counter (OTC) Items That Should Not Be Routinely Prescribed In Primary Care Policy 

 

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 Details...
13.08.01  Expand sub section  Sunscreen preparations
 note 

Some sunscreen products have ACBS approval. They may be prescribed for skin protection against ultraviolet radiation and/or visible light in abnormal cutaneous photosensitivity causing severe cutaneous reactions in genetic disorders (including xeroderma pigmentosum and porphyrias), severe photodermatoses (both idiopathic and acquired) and in those with increased risk of ultraviolet radiation causing adverse effects due to chronic disease (such as haematological malignancies), medical therapies and/or procedures.

Anthelios®
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Green

Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+

For ACBS conditions only, otherwise self care.

 
 
Uvistat®
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Green
Lipscreen SPF 50, Suncream SPF 30, and Suncream SPF 50.
 
For ACBS conditions only, otherwise self care.
 
 
13.08.01  Expand sub section  Photodamage
Diclofenac
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Green

Gel 3%

 
 
TirbanibulinBlack Triangle (Klisyri ®)
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Green

Ointment 10 mg/g

 
 
Cytotoxic Drug Fluorouracil (Efudix®)
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Cream 5%

Green Treatment of superficial pre-malignant skin lesions (e.g. actinic keratosis) - Prescribers should refer patients with skin lesions suggestive of skin cancers using the principles of the NICE suspected cancer guideline. Patients must be counselled in full on the correct use of fluorouracil 5% Cream, its risks and side effects.
Red Treatment of small superficial basal-cell carcinomas in adults - Only to be prescribed by skin cancer specialists or a suitably qualified GP with specialist interest (GPwSI) with demonstrable clinical skills and competencies, training and experience.

 
Link  LSCMMG: Fluorouracil 5% Cream NMR
Link  LSCMMG: Imiquimod cream (Aldara) and fluorouracil cream (Efudix) NMR
 
Aminolevulinic acid  (Ameluz®)
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Red

Gel 78mg/g

 
 
Imiquimod
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Amber 0 Cream 5% (Aldara®) Treatment of actinic keratosis
Red Cream 5% (Aldara®) Treatment of small superficial basal-cell carcinomas in adults - Only to be prescribed by skin cancer specialists or a suitably qualified GP with specialist interest (GPwSI) with demonstrable clinical skills and competencies, training and experience.
Do Not Prescribe Cream 3.75% (Zyclara®) Treatment of Actinic Keratosis
ial basal cell carcinoma in adults

 
Link  LSCMMG: Imiquimod cream (Aldara) and fluorouracil cream (Efudix) NMR
 
Methyl-5-Aminolevulinate (Metvix®)
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Red

Cream 160 mg/g

 
 
Fluorouracil with salicylic acid (Actikerall®)
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Do Not Prescribe

Solution fluorouracil 0.5%, salicylic acid 10%

 
 
 ....
Key
Restricted Drug Restricted Drug
Unlicensed Drug Unlicensed
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Link to adult BNF
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Link to children's BNF
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Link to SPCs
SMC
Scottish Medicines Consortium
Cytotoxic Drug
Cytotoxic Drug
CD
Controlled Drug
High Cost Medicine
High Cost Medicine
Cancer Drugs Fund
Cancer Drugs Fund
Homecare
Homecare
CCG

ICB commissioned

NHSE
NHS England commissioned
Blueteq
Blueteq form needed
Green Low Carbon

Low carbon footprint

Amber Medium Carbon

Medium carbon footprint

Red High carbon footprint

High carbon footprint

Status Description

Green

Green: Appropriate for initiation and ongoing prescribing in both primary and secondary care. Generally, little or no routine drug monitoring is required.  

Green Restricted

Green (Restricted): Appropriate for initiation and ongoing prescribing in both primary and secondary care provided: Additional criteria specific to the medicine or device are met, or The medicine or device is used following the failure of other therapies as defined by the relevant LSCMMG pathway. Generally, little or no routine drug monitoring is required.   

Red

Red medicines: Medicine is supplied by the hospital for the duration of the treatment course. Primary care initiation or continuation of treatment is not recommended unless exceptional circumstances such as specialist GP. Red medicines are those where primary care prescribing is not recommended. These treatments should be initiated by specialists only and prescribing retained within secondary care. They require specialist knowledge, intensive monitoring, specific dose adjustments or further evaluation in use. If however, a primary care prescriber has particular specialist knowledge or experience of prescribing a particular drug for a particular patient it would not always be appropriate for them to expect to transfer that prescribing responsibility back to secondary care. There should be a specific reason and a specific risk agreement, protocol and service set up to support this. Primary care prescribers may prescribe RED medicines in exceptional circumstances to patients to ensure continuity of supply while arrangements are made to obtain ongoing supplies from secondary care.  

Amber 0

Amber level 0: Suitable for prescribing in primary care following recommendation or initiation by a specialist. Little or no specific monitoring required. Patient may need a regular review, but this would not exceed that required for other medicines routinely prescribed in primary care. Brief prescribing document or information sheet may be required. Primary care prescribers must be familiar with the drug to take on prescribing responsibility or must get the required information. When recommending or handing over care, specialists should ask primary care prescribers to take over prescribing responsibility, and should give enough information about the indication, dose, monitoring requirements, use outside product licence and any necessary dose adjustments to allow them to confidently prescribe.  

Amber 1

Amber level 1 (with shared care): Suitable for prescribing in primary care following recommendation or initiation by a specialist. Minimal monitoring required. Patient may need a regular review, but this would not exceed that required for other medicines routinely prescribed in primary care. Full prior agreement about patient’s on-going care must be reached under the shared care agreement. Primary care prescribers are advised not to take on prescribing of these medicines unless they have been adequately informed by letter of their responsibilities with regards monitoring, side effects and interactions and are happy to take on the prescribing responsibility. A copy of locally approved shared care guidelines should accompany this letter which outlines these responsibilities. Primary care prescribers should then tell secondary care of their intentions as soon as possible by letter so that arrangements can be made for the transfer of care.  

Amber 2

Amber level 2 (with shared care and enhanced service): Initiated by specialist and transferred to primary care following a successful initiation period. Significant monitoring required on an on-going basis. Full prior agreement about patient’s on-going care must be reached under the shared care agreement. Suitable for enhanced service. These medicines are considered suitable for GP prescribing following specialist initiation of therapy, as per shared care document which will be sent out with the request to prescribe, with on-going communication between the primary care prescriber and specialist. Amber Level 2 medicines require significant monitoring for which an enhanced service may be suitable. (Subject to local commissioning agreements).  

Do Not Prescribe

Do not prescribe: NOT recommended for use by the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria. Includes medicines that NICE has not recommended for use and terminated technology appraisals, unless there is a local need.  

Grey

Grey medicines: Medicines which have not yet been reviewed or are under the review process. GPs and specialists are recommended not to prescribe these drugs. This category includes drugs where funding has not yet been agreed.   

Multiple

Refer to local guidance.  

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