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In the upcoming print editions, BNF 84 and BNF for Children 2022–23, you will notice that the pages inserted after the index have been updated as follows:

• Yellow Card inserts have been removed — information on when and how to submit Yellow Cards and links to online reporting sites remain available in the Adverse reactions to drugs section; signposting to this section and a link to the MHRA’s Yellow Card website is included on the back cover of print editions
• Quick reference guides are now printed on standard paper stock instead of glossy paper — all content that was previously on these pages remains present (e.g. life support algorithms and key drug doses in medical emergencies)
• Quick reference guides have been re-ordered to facilitate rapid reference — the advanced life support algorithm is now easily accessible on the inside back cover and listed in the Contents page

With the latest update, you now have access to the new features on the BNF app, providing you with an improved experience.

Favourite records
Our research has shown many users want quick access to BNF records they visit frequently. By introducing registration, we are now able to give you a more personalised experience with the new ‘Favourites’ feature. Favourites will allow you to bookmark drug monographs, treatment summaries, and other records you refer to frequently or need to find quickly and access them across multiple devices.

Registration
To enable the Favourites functionality, and to support future app development, you will now be asked to register for access to the BNF app. It is quick and easy to do — just enter your email address and job role, then choose a password. Once you log in to the BNF app, you will remain logged in on your device.

All users are now required to register and log in to access the BNF app. The BNF app remains fully functional both online and offline, providing access to the latest drug information quickly, and on-the-go.

Why register for an account?

• Quick and easy registration process, at no cost to you
• Access your favourite records quickly, across multiple devices
• Help us improve the app based on usage and needs

The BNF app remains fully functional both online and offline, providing access to the latest drug information quickly, and on-the-go.

NHS registered user access to BNF content through MedicinesComplete has been automatically extended.  If you have received an email asking you to re-register as an NHS user, you can safely ignore it and your access will not be affected. 

If you have re-registered as an NHS user, thank you, your access to BNF content through MedicinesComplete is also confirmed. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch. 

BNF Publications have been working to improve access to prescribing information for Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribers (CPNPs), by incorporating the NPF content within the BNF. As a result of this work, updates have been made to content within the BNF.

Up until now the NPF was available as a print-only publication that was published every two years. Incorporating the NPF content within the BNF means that this content is now available digitally, via the BNF app and online, and within BNF print editions, as described below. NPF users will also benefit from access to BNF content that was previously not included in the NPF, such as drug interactions.  

Within the BNF app, online versions of the BNF, and BNF80, the NPF list of medicinal preparations now includes:

• Cross-references to BNF monographs to make navigating from the list to the monograph quick and easy
• Indications for which CPNPs can prescribe a specific drug or preparation
• Additional information (e.g. when initial assessment by a doctor is required before prescribing, or where there is a usual maximum duration of treatment for a specific indication)
• Signposting to doses for CPNPs where these differ from the standard doses in the BNF

Within the BNF app and online versions of the BNF, the following information has been added:

• General guidance for CPNPs (Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary—General guidance) which includes information on prescribing for CPNPs
• Treatment summaries for CPNPs (e.g. Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary—Analgesics) which provide an overview of the drug management or prophylaxis of conditions that are commonly managed by CPNPs and/or information on the use of appliances, such as stoma appliances

For further details, see How to use the NPF which sits above the medicinal preparations section in the NPF list.

Following the launch of the improved BNF and BNF for Children app last month, the latest update is now available for all users.

We would encourage you to download the update as soon as possible, v3.0.1 on the AppStore and v3.0.2 on the Google Play store.

As a reminder, switch on automatic updates to get instant access to the most up-to-date version of the BNF app. 

Update your BNF app

We are always interested in learning more about your use of the British National Formulary (BNF) content across print, online and app formats. Your feedback will help us ensure we are providing the most appropriate information in the most convenient format to support you in your practice.

If you would like to take part in this research please use the link below to complete our short survey.

Sorry this survey is now closed The prize draw winners have been notified and their last names are: Roberts, Siddiqui and Gillen.

The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and your answers will be treated in the strictest confidence.

As a thank you for your help, by completing the survey and entering our prize draw, you could win one of three £100 Amazon vouchers.

BNF Publications are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Fraz Mir as the Senior Medical Adviser to the BNF Board and Chair of the BNF Joint Formulary Committee.

Dr Mir is a clinical pharmacologist and consultant physician at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. In addition, he is head of the School of Postgraduate Medicine for Health Education East of England. Dr Mir also brings to the role a wealth of experience in medicines governance and patient safety.

The British National Formulary (BNF) app helps busy healthcare professionals access essential medicines information quickly, offline and on-the-go.

Used by around 200,000 healthcare professionals every month, it continues to be a vital resource for those prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines.

Later this month an improved version will be available. If you’ve already downloaded the BNF app and switched on automatic updates, you will get instant access to the improved version. Otherwise, simply update your app to access the improved version.

What can I look forward to?

Colour-coded content

BNF and BNF for Children content will be colour-coded with clear labelling. You can easily differentiate between adult and child content and identify the right information for your patient; blue for BNF and pink for BNF for Children.

Intuitive design

The thoughtful design updates support the selection of safe and effective medicines – search Interactions with one click and swiftly move from section to section with the new menu.

Pharmaceutical Press from The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is today announcing the release of essential drug information focussed on supporting those working in critical care through the COVID-19 crisis. This is available to the NHS in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and to MedicinesComplete users at no charge.

Critical Illness is a new resource planned for publication next year, providing healthcare professionals working in intensive care units with specific guidance to help them make confident and effective decisions in this high-risk environment. Due to these exceptional circumstances, all available content is being released now. 

Pharmaceutical Press Managing Director, Karen Baxter said “I am incredibly grateful for the dedication and effort shown by the team at Pharmaceutical Press and our expert editors who have worked around the clock whilst also continuing their patient-facing roles to ensure we release this essential content set. We are glad to be able to support frontline NHS teams with this vital resource at such a pressured time.”

The advance release of Critical Illness, compiled by consultants and specialist pharmacists working in critical care comprises 6 monographs and prescribing guidance considered core for critical care units that follow dosing outside of standard regimens and are specifically useful for adult COVID-19 patients.

Dr Cathrine McKenzie, editor of Critical Illness and a clinical academic pharmacist with over 25 years’ experience in critical care said “I am really delighted to partner with my intensivist colleague’s Dr Barbara Philips and Dr Chris Kirwan and fellow pharmacist Greg Barton to provide, what we hope is a dynamic prescribing text to support critical care at this time of intense need. I also want to thank all the antimicrobial and intensive care pharmacists for their input into this early release and finally to Pharmaceutical Press for their support in transforming our ideas into a valuable resource.”

For more information about Critical Illness go to about.medicinescomplete.com/publication/critical-illness/

About MedicinesComplete

MedicinesComplete makes it easy for healthcare professionals to access essential medicines information at the point of care. Trusted evidence-based resources include British National Formulary, Stockley’s Drug Interactions, Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference, Palliative Care Formulary and many more specialist resources.

Our skilled editorial team of clinical writers includes pharmacists and science graduates who triage new information, assess evidence and review changes made by other clinical writers before publication. Certain content is further assessed by external experts, committee and peer review. Ensuring clear, concise and actionable guidance to support confident decision-making on the use and administration of drugs and medicines, and effective patient care.

As the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s knowledge business, we invest all our resources into creating independent and unbiased knowledge to promote best practice in medicines use.

For more information email marketing@rpharms.com

About Pharmaceutical Press

When healthcare professionals need to make the right decision, Pharmaceutical Press puts evidence-based pharmaceutical knowledge at their fingertips. Trusted worldwide for providing accessible clinical advice that improves patient safety, with an unmatched commitment to independently sourcing, evaluating and communicating the most accurate information. As the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s knowledge business, we invest all of our resources into creating world-class tools that promote best practice in medicines use, which means healthcare professionals can quickly and confidently make the most informed decisions.

MedicinesComplete is a Pharmaceutical Press product from The Royal Pharmaceutical Society.