Drugs for the doctors bag revisited

Abstract

The choice of drugs to include in the GP's bag depends on the medical conditions likely to be met, the shelf-life of the products and their costs, the availability of ambulance paramedic cover and the proximity of the nearest hospital. Here, we update previous advice1^,2 and suggest a list of medicines that GPs may wish to take with them on home visits for use in an emergency or other acute treatment. We include paediatric doses where appropriate3^,4 and, whenever a medicine is first mentioned, our suggested formulation is given italicised and in brackets. We also enclose with this issue a card summarising parenteral doses of drugs for medical emergencies, which includes a table of mean weight for age.