Palliative Care Formulary and On-Demand Specialist Drugs Service

The Palliative Care Formulary for pain and symptom management in adults is intended as a guide for prescribers in hospital and community. Special care should be taken when prescribing strong opioids, particularly in opioid naïve patients, because of the risk of respiratory depression. The dose and frequency should be carefully stated on the prescription. For further guidance see BNF.

Many drugs listed are unlicensed in their use or route and as such the clinician takes personal responsibility for prescribing.  If symptoms are not controlled, please contact Specialist Palliative Care for advice. Advice should be sought early to avoid symptom crisis.

When prescribing for Barnsley patients out of hours this formulary should be adhered to.

On Demand Specialist Drugs Service

Certain pharmacies (click HERE for list and opening times) across Barnsley hold a stock of palliative care drugs and other drugs (e.g. certain antibiotics)  to help support those patients in urgent need of medication. 

Please click HERE for the list of drugs which pharmacies endeavour to retain (demand permitting).  All of the pharmacies providing the service are required to stock the drugs included on list A, additional drugs are also stocked by the pharmacies signed up to the B list.   

Additional resources:- 

Dexamethasone Formulations in Palliative Care (APC approved)

Drugs Prolonging the QTc Interval

End of Life Oral Hygiene

Ketamine

Last Days of Life Symptom Management Guidance

Last Days of Life Prescribing Anticipatory Subcutaneous Medications

Last Days of Life Prescribing Anticipatory Subcutaneous Medications - examples of FP10s

Management of Seizures/Epilepsy

Patient Information Leaflet: Unlicensed and Off-Label Medicines 

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