60 and counting

It labels itself as “an independent professional publication that is kept up-to-date and addresses the day-to-day prescribing information needs”, whose use “throughout the health service helps to ensure that medicines are used safely, effectively, and appropriately”. Coming from many other sources, this could sound like a questionable boast, worthy of scrutiny, if not outright scepticism. But said by the British National Formulary (BNF), it borders on understatement. Originally launched in 1948, the BNF remains the definitive UK source of practical guidance on how to use, and not misuse, drug therapy. With the recent publication of the 60th issue, this is a good time to celebrate this invaluable publication.

In doing so, DTB needs to declare an interest. The BNF is published and partly owned by the BMJ Group, the proprietor of DTB. But our admiration for the BNF long precedes this association. For example, in 1965, we said “The British National Formulary is perhaps the best of its kind”, and added “this is an excellent handbook and our chief concern is that doctors do not use it enough”.1 Thankfully, things have moved on since then. Now, only the brave or foolish would prescribe or advise about medicines without having ready access to an up-to-date version of the BNF (as the book or digital versions). Its widespread availability and frequent use mean, though, that it is easy to take the BNF's presence for granted.

There are limitations of course. These include the fact that key differences between the BNF's advice and that in products' summaries of product characteristics are not highlighted. Also, there is no clear signalling of where advice has necessarily been based on opinion because of a lack of evidence. Such issues aside, it's worth reflecting on what makes this publication special. Central to this …