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Originator: CMO Messaging

From: CMO Messaging

Issue date: 02-May-2024 15:32:00

This alert has been issued to:
  • Care Trusts
  • Mental Health Trusts
  • Other contacts
  • Specialists Trusts
  • Independent Healthcare Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • NHS Regional Offices
  • Learning Disabilities Trusts
  • Mental Health & Social Care Trusts
  • Ambulance Trusts
  • Social Care Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Trusts
  • Territorial CMOs in Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales
  • Acute Trusts
  • Community Trusts
  • GP - Locum
  • NHS 111 and Out of hours providers
  • Dispensing GP Practices
  • GP Practices
  • Integrated Care Boards
  • Community Pharmacy
  • Primary Care Networks
  • GP Practices 1

Action category: Action

Title: Influenza season 2023/24: ending the prescribing and supply of antiviral medicines in primary care

Broadcast content: The most recent surveillance data from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that circulation of influenza in the community has returned to baseline levels. 

In accordance with NICE guidance and Schedule 2 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of drugs etc.) Regulations 2004), commonly known as the Grey List or Selected List Scheme (SLS):

• GPs and other prescribers working in primary care should no longer prescribe antiviral medicines (including neuraminidase inhibitors) for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza on an FP10 prescription form.

• Community pharmacists should no longer supply antiviral medicines in primary care on presentation of an FP10 prescription form. 

This advice stands until we write again to re-commence prescribing and supply of antiviral medicines in primary care. This does not impact on prescribing of antiviral medicines in hospitals, which can continue as normal. The arrangements for prescribing antiviral medicines for localised community outbreaks of influenza during the ‘out of season’ period are set out in the attached document.


Additional information: NHS England Regions: please cascade this notification to community pharmacy.

Alert reference: CEM/CMO/2024/002

Attachments:

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Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency