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What is the BNF 85?
The BNF 85 is a joint publication by the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). It serves as a vital reference for healthcare professionals, offering up-to-date guidance on drug selection, dosage, and administration.
Note: The BNF is designed for quick reference. For specialized fields like obstetrics, oncology, or anesthesia, practitioners should consult professional literature and the BNF for Children where applicable.
Key Features of the British National Formulary 2024
The BNF aims to provide pharmacists, doctors, and nurses with the latest evidence-based information on drug use in the UK.
- Authoritative Guidance: Content is validated by the Joint Formulation Committee, the British Health Departments, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
- Safety First: Includes a dedicated "Important Safety Information" section and "Never Incidents" to prevent medical errors.
- Comprehensive Monographs: Detailed info on drug interactions, side effects, and contraindications.
- Regular Updates: While the printed edition is updated every March and September, monthly digital updates are available via Medicines Complete.
Clinical Prescribing Guidelines
Effective prescribing requires balancing clinical benefits against potential risks. The BNF 85 emphasizes:
- Patient Consultation: Discussing treatment options and helping patients distinguish between disease symptoms and drug side effects.
- Drug Optimization: Ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients through tailored medication plans.
- Prescribing Competence: Adhering to the Prescribing Competence Framework issued by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Understanding Biological and Biosimilar Medicines
The BNF provides clear distinctions for high-complexity medications:
1. Biological Drugs
Biological medicines are derived from biological sources (e.g., insulin or monoclonal antibodies). Due to their complexity, they must be prescribed by brand name to prevent unintentional switching at the pharmacy.
2. Biosimilar Drugs
A biosimilar is a biological drug highly similar to an already approved "reference" biological medicine.
- Equivalence: They are clinically equivalent in terms of safety and efficacy.
- Substitution: Unlike simple generics, automatic substitution is not appropriate for biosimilars; the choice remains with the clinician and patient.
Best Practices for Generic vs. Brand Name Prescribing
To ensure efficiency and safety, the BNF recommends the following:
- Use Non-Proprietary Names: Generally, drugs should be prescribed by their "generic" names to save costs and avoid delays.
- Brand-Specific Exceptions: If a specific brand is required for clinical consistency (e.g., certain controlled-release products), the brand name must be clearly stated.
- Avoid Abbreviations: Always write drug and product names in full to prevent life-threatening misinterpretations.
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