This project describes the formation, development of, and output from, an ICS wide Medicines Guideline Group.
The group was set up at the start of the COVID-19 'lockdown' period and was formed of pharmacists from BCCG, LCCG and MKCCG. The pharmacists involved in the group had extensive experience in producing guidelines/pathways/new drug bulletins for the two local area prescribing committees (Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Prescribing Committee {JPC} and the Milton Keynes Prescribing Advisory Group {MKPAG}) within the ICS. It's initial aim was to provide medicines optimisation (MO) support relating to patients in the high risk (shielded) cohort of patients to Primary Care (GPs/Non Medical Prescribers/Community Pharmacists) and then keeping them informed of emerging evidence with regards to COVID-19.
The group were able to produce the bulletins rapidly (with 2 weeks of lock down) in consultation with local specialists.
After the initial work, the group regularly monitored output on COVID-19 from national sources and updated and extended the information provided as necessary.
As the pandemic has eased, members of the guideline group are now working together on the alignment of medicines-related policies (to include Formulary review) to support the merger of the CCGs from 1st April 2021.
