Just received this in an email from Walsall CCG

NHS England Consultation on items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care – an introduction.

NHS England released a 12 week consultation (21 July) on what it describes as ‘low value’ products. There are 18 treatments included in the consultation. They have been used to treat a variety of conditions historically, but over time there has been a reduction in prescribing of these medicines/treatments.

A number of the items on the list were developed many years ago. At the time they would have been considered an effective treatment. Since then new safer and more effective alternatives have become available offering significant advantages over the medications on the list.

Given the savings the NHS has been asked to make, it is difficult to justify the continued use of medications that do not have evidence that they are effective, or where safety concerns have been raised about these products.

In many cases NHS Walsall Clincal Commissioning Group already advises that these products are not used routinely and in fact recommends that patients receiving these medicines are reviewed and changed to more effective, safer products.

Some of these products are considerably more expensive than other, equally effective treatment options. As a CCG we have a duty to ensure that scarce resources are used wisely to achieve the best health outcomes for our entire population.

NHS Walsall CCG are supporting the statement that these items should not be routinely prescribed.

Have your say on the consultation document here.

To give your views complete the online survey:

• Frequently asked questions
• Equality and Health Inequalities – Full Analysis – Items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care