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 Formulary Chapter 6: Endocrine system - Full Chapter
06.01.01.02  Expand sub section  Intermediate- and long-acting insulins
06.01.01.02  Expand sub section  Biphasic insulins
06.01.01.02  Expand sub section  Intermediate Acting Insulin
06.01.01.02  Expand sub section  Long Acting Insulin Analogues
Biosimilar Insulin Glargine
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Formulary
Green

3mL cartridge 100units/mL
3mL prefilled disposable Pen 100units/mL

First choice in new users

 
 
Lantus® Insulin Glargine
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Formulary
Green

10mL vial
3mL cartridge for OptiPen® Pro 1
3mL prefilled disposable pen SoloSTAR®

Lantus® brand is not a preferred product in the LSCMMG antihyperglycaemics guideline. Biosimilars of Insulin glargine are also available for the treatment of NEW patients and patients assessed to need a medication change. Treatment should normally be started with the least expensive drug.

 
 
Levemir® (Insulin Detemir)
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Green
3mL cartridge for NovoPen®
3mL prefilled disposable FlexPen®
 
 
Toujeo® (Insulin glargine )
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Amber 0

Pre-filled pen 300 units/mL

First line high strength long acting insulin (Toujeo Solostar)

Type 1 - in accordance with the recommendations in NICE NG17 and in those who experience an unacceptable frequency and/or severity of nocturnal hypoglycaemia on attempting to achieve better glycaemic control during treatment with first-line long-acting insulin analogues; or as a once daily insulin therapy for patients who require assistance with administering injections.

Type 2 - in accordance with the recommendations in NICE NG28 in those who suffer from symptomatic nocturnal hypoglycaemia whilst being treated with a first-line long-acting insulin analogue.

 
Link  LSCMMG: Insulin Toujeo® SoloStar® DoubleStar® Product Information Sheet & Good Practice Guide
 
Tresiba® (Insulin degludec)
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Green Restricted

100 units/ml 3ml cartridges
100units/ml pre-filled pens Flextouch
200units/ml pre-filled pens Flextouch

Must be commenced by a healthcare professional who is appropriately trained and experienced in the initiation of insulin
Specialists may exceptionally consider initiating insulin degludec if:
- Patient is experiencing poor glycaemic control or recurrent hypoglycaemic episodes with their existing long-acting insulin analogue or
- Patient is unable to take basal insulin at the same time each day

Second line high strength long-acting (Tresiba FlexTouch 200).
Third line long acting insulin analogue (Tresiba Flextouch 100).

 
Link  MHRA safety alert on availability of 2 strengths
 
Xultophy® Insulin degludec and liraglutide
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Do Not Prescribe
 
Link  LSCMMG: Insulin degludec plus liraglutide
 
 ....
Key
Restricted Drug Restricted Drug
Unlicensed Drug Unlicensed
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Link to adult BNF
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Link to children's BNF
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Link to SPCs
SMC
Scottish Medicines Consortium
Cytotoxic Drug
Cytotoxic Drug
CD
Controlled Drug
High Cost Medicine
High Cost Medicine
Cancer Drugs Fund
Cancer Drugs Fund
NHSE
NHS England
Homecare
Homecare
ICB
ICB
Green Low Carbon

Low carbon footprint

Amber Medium Carbon

Medium carbon footprint

Red High carbon footprint

High carbon footprint

Status Description

Green

Green: Appropriate for initiation and ongoing prescribing in both primary and secondary care. Generally, little or no routine drug monitoring is required.  

Green Restricted

Green (Restricted): Appropriate for initiation and ongoing prescribing in both primary and secondary care provided: Additional criteria specific to the medicine or device are met, or The medicine or device is used following the failure of other therapies as defined by the relevant LSCMMG pathway. Generally, little or no routine drug monitoring is required.   

Red

Red medicines: Medicine is supplied by the hospital for the duration of the treatment course. Primary care initiation or continuation of treatment is not recommended unless exceptional circumstances such as specialist GP. Red medicines are those where primary care prescribing is not recommended. These treatments should be initiated by specialists only and prescribing retained within secondary care. They require specialist knowledge, intensive monitoring, specific dose adjustments or further evaluation in use. If however, a primary care prescriber has particular specialist knowledge or experience of prescribing a particular drug for a particular patient it would not always be appropriate for them to expect to transfer that prescribing responsibility back to secondary care. There should be a specific reason and a specific risk agreement, protocol and service set up to support this. Primary care prescribers may prescribe RED medicines in exceptional circumstances to patients to ensure continuity of supply while arrangements are made to obtain ongoing supplies from secondary care.  

Amber 0

Amber level 0: Suitable for prescribing in primary care following recommendation or initiation by a specialist. Little or no specific monitoring required. Patient may need a regular review, but this would not exceed that required for other medicines routinely prescribed in primary care. Brief prescribing document or information sheet may be required. Primary care prescribers must be familiar with the drug to take on prescribing responsibility or must get the required information. When recommending or handing over care, specialists should ask primary care prescribers to take over prescribing responsibility, and should give enough information about the indication, dose, monitoring requirements, use outside product licence and any necessary dose adjustments to allow them to confidently prescribe.  

Amber 1

Amber level 1 (with shared care): Suitable for prescribing in primary care following recommendation or initiation by a specialist. Minimal monitoring required. Patient may need a regular review, but this would not exceed that required for other medicines routinely prescribed in primary care. Full prior agreement about patient’s on-going care must be reached under the shared care agreement. Primary care prescribers are advised not to take on prescribing of these medicines unless they have been adequately informed by letter of their responsibilities with regards monitoring, side effects and interactions and are happy to take on the prescribing responsibility. A copy of locally approved shared care guidelines should accompany this letter which outlines these responsibilities. Primary care prescribers should then tell secondary care of their intentions as soon as possible by letter so that arrangements can be made for the transfer of care.  

Amber 2

Amber level 2 (with shared care and enhanced service): Initiated by specialist and transferred to primary care following a successful initiation period. Significant monitoring required on an on-going basis. Full prior agreement about patient’s on-going care must be reached under the shared care agreement. Suitable for enhanced service. These medicines are considered suitable for GP prescribing following specialist initiation of therapy, as per shared care document which will be sent out with the request to prescribe, with on-going communication between the primary care prescriber and specialist. Amber Level 2 medicines require significant monitoring for which an enhanced service may be suitable. (Subject to local commissioning agreements).  

Do Not Prescribe

Do not prescribe: NOT recommended for use by the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria. Includes medicines that NICE has not recommended for use and terminated technology appraisals, unless there is a local need.  

Grey

Grey medicines: Medicines which have not yet been reviewed or are under the review process. GPs and specialists are recommended not to prescribe these drugs. This category includes drugs where funding has not yet been agreed.   

Multiple

Refer to local guidance and local commissioning arrangements  

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