Abstract

We concluded recently that local prescribing formularies are worth the time and money they take to produce.¹ If they are well used in hospitals and in general practice they improve the quality of prescribing and reduce overall costs. The NHS Review Working for Patients, published since our report, encourages family health service authorities (FHSA) and district health authorities to develop joint formularies to facilitate continuity of treatment between hospital and community.² This article reviews how a local prescribing policy can be developed used and monitored.