December 9th 2024

By Ailsa Colquhoun

15 items earmarked for deprescribing on Scottish NHS

Scotland has published deprescribing guidance for medicines of low and limited clinical value.

The guidance lists 15 items of low value, where prescribers should either deprescribe or initiate alternative products. The items include: minocycline for acne, paracetamol and tramadol combination product and perindopril arginine.

The guidance, Achieving Value and Sustainability in Prescribing, also aims to achieve best value in the choice of blood glucose monitoring strips and insulin pen needles and to ensure the most effective use of antimicrobials (antibiotics).

The guidance notes that good prescribing dictates that the choice of therapy should be made in discussion with the individual, based on good clinical evidence of efficacy, safety, value and acceptability. It adds that it is good practice to prescribe the best value preparation available for the most appropriate duration, and to prescribe solid dosage forms where appropriate for cost, environmental and safety reasons.