Greater Glasgow and Clyde Medicines

Prescribing Resources

This page is aimed at providing prescribers in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with other useful resources that have been developed. It is not intended to contain guidelines (see Clinical Guidelines). This is an alphabetical list:

Adding Medicines to EMIS and VISION that are not to be supplied by GP practices

Within General Practice, it is beneficial to ensure that a patient's medicine record includes medicines that may be prescribed and supplied outwith the GP practice, such as the acute sector, community mental health teams etc.  This Medicines Update Blog (published in January 2022) shows how to add medicines that do not require supply to the most frequently used GP computer systems.

Adult Gentamicin and Vancomycin Calculators

The adult gentamicin and vancomycin calculators are intended for use only within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and are available via the GGC Medicines app. For information on how to access the App see here (GGC network access needed).

Direct Oral Anticoagulants

The following prescribing resources have been produced to assist prescribers in the use of these agents for patients with AF and for VTE.

Blogs relating to DOACs include:

Other sources:

Gluten-Free Foods and Products

For information on the Gluten Free Food Service including ordering forms and product lists, please see the Information for Patients section.

Guidance on the use of specials in primary care

These documents offer prescribers in primary care guidance about when it is appropriate to prescribe a 'special', what the responsibilities are of those involved in the prescribing and dispensing and advice on the types of specials that are approved for routine use within NHSGGC.

Inhaler Device and Asthma/COPD Resources

This section includes guidance for device choices in asthma and COPD, generic patient information leaflets for staff involved in training patients on how to use their inhaler devices and a Good Practice Guide which aids device identification. 

IV Immunoglobulins

Information for the prescribing of IV immunoglobulins, including request forms and infusion schedules can be accessed from this designated page on SharePoint

Medication review - tools

The tools below can support a mindful prescribing approach:

Medicinal Cannabis

Medicines - prescribing guidance

MHRA Drug Safety Update

This webpage and monthly newsletter provide healthcare professionals with up to date safety information and warning for medicines.  You can access the page via the MHRA website HERE

Near Patient Testing (NPT)

Details of the contract arrangements for NPT can be found on the Primary Care GMS Contract Team page on StaffNet (click here, access to NHS Network required). 

New lipid lowering medicines: alirocumab and evolocumab

A brief summary of key prescribing information for GPs (June 2017)

Non-Prescription of Antibiotics

The Royal College of General Practitioners has produced a useful patient information leaflet that can be issued to patients to explain how they can self-manage some of the most common infections, therefore often avoiding inappropriate antibiotic use.  The leaflet is available for download in various languages and formats and replaces the non-prescription pads that were obtained from this page previously.

Prescription and Administration Medicines Charts for the Acute Division

  • Approved inpatient prescription charts and the relevant ordering codes are available from this page on StaffNet  (e.g. vancomycin, gentamicin, VRIII)

Valproate and Topiramate

MHRA materials and resources 

NHSGGC interim risk assessment exemption form 

Medicines Update blogs: Updated Valproate Regulatory Measures and Contraceptive Advice: Valproate and Topiramate Medicines

Vitamin B12 Prescribing