The New British National Formulary, Delivering The Latest Advice, Every Time

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 13 Sep 2004 - 15:00 PST

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

For the latest prescribing information, healthcare professionals need look no further than the new edition of the British National Formulary (BNF 48) published today.

BNF 48 is the first edition to include advice on oral and dental conditions and how these relate to other medical problems. Not only will this benefit all professionals who use the BNF, it will prepare dental practitioners to prescribe on terms similar to those of their medical colleagues.

Numerous adjustments have been made to the clinical advice in the BNF; examples of changes made for BNF 48 include:

-- Updated advice on intravenous albumin solutions in the light of new evidence confirming that albumin is appropriate to use in specific circumstances.

-- Revised advice on the role of bronchodilators and corticosteroids in the management of COPD, taking into account NICE guidelines.

-- Adjustments to the asthma charts reflecting the latest guidance.

-- Advice on measures to reduce the risk of stroke with risperidone and olanzapine, following a warning issued by the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

BNF 48 continues to include the well-established charts for calculating 10-year risk for coronary heart disease. In the prescribing notes for hypertension and statins, it provides figures for the risk of coronary heart disease as well as the equivalent figures for the risk of cardiovascular disease.

"As usual, this new edition has taken on board important studies, guidelines, and changes to the manufacturers' product literature. It is essential that healthcare professionals turn to the latest BNF and keep their clinical practice up-to-date," says Professor Martin Kendall, Chairman of the BNF Joint Formulary Committee.

"The advice on oral and dental conditions adds yet another dimension to the BNF and could save the patient from being referred from one practitioner to another."

Ends

Notes to Editors:

The BNF, a joint publication of the British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, is used daily by 200,000 healthcare professionals, with an updated version published every six months. It is an up-to-date pocket book, for rapid reference by practicing healthcare professionals, which encourages sensible, cost-effective and safe use of medicines.

For further information, please contact Emma Dickinson or Teresa Hagan, Press Office, on Tel: +44 (0)20 7383 6529 or Email: edickinson@bma.org.uk.

For more information please contact:
Teresa Hagan
Tel: 020 7383 6174

Public Affairs Division
British Medical Association
BMA House
Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9JP

After 6:00 pm and weekends:
+44 (0) 790 1670068
+44 (0) 208 651 5130
+44 (0) 208 444 7992
+44 (0) 1525 379792
+44 (0) 7887 626 775
+44 (0) 115 845 1860

• Additional
• References
• Citations