Download Pregabalin Statement - NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG

SCARBOROUGH & RYEDALE CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP
CCG COMMISSIONING STATEMENT REGARDING PREGABALIN PRESCRIBING
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Commissioning Statement is to set out Scarborough & Ryedale
CCG’s position with regard to the safe use of Pregabalin for its local population.
The CCG will be taking steps during 2015 to seek assurance that this statement is
understood and adhered to by all key stakeholders. Any issues arising from this
matter will be reviewed and addressed through the SRCCG Medicines Management
Programme Board.
2. COMMISSIONING STATEMENT
Pregabalin is commissioned as an option for the treatment of epilepsy and
neuropathic pain. It is not effective for everyone and has potential for side effects,
misuse and abuse.
Pregabalin is not routinely commissioned for generalised anxiety disorder or somatic
pain.
Any patient prescribed Pregabalin should be reviewed regularly (every 3 months) to
ensure that it is being used safely and effectively.
Pregabalin and Gabapentin have been identified as being drugs of abuse.
Prescribers need to take this into consideration. The danger of death associated with
Pregabalin has been highlighted as a contributory cause of death when taken with
other nervous system depressants including opiates and alcohol.
For further details and guidance please review the following:
NHS PrescQIPP Bulletin 50: Neuropathic Pain – Pregabalin & Gabapentin
Prescribing Jan 14
881-bulletin-50-preg
abalin-in-neuropathic-pain.pdf
Public Health England: Advice for prescribers on the risk of misuse of pregabalin and
gabapentin Dec 14
PHE-NHS_England_p
regabalin_and_gabapentin_advice_Dec_2014.pdf
3. AUDIT & REVIEW PROGRAMME
The CCG has commissioned a Prescribing Support Team led initial assessment of
patients’ currently receiving pregabalin in order to identify:
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Patients on pregabalin also prescribed an opiate
Patients on pregabalin with drug dependency issues
Patients on pregabalin for > 12 months
This exercise will be completed by early Summer and will inform a more detailed and
prioritised patient level review process which will commence from September 2015
onwards. Further details on the approach to this review will be developed in
partnership with CoCR Prescribing Leads.
The CCG will also consider the development of some patient education materials to
assist discussions with patients on this matter.
4. RECOMMENDATION
Prescribing leads and General Practitioners are asked to review the contents of this
paper and consider the implications for their practice as appropriate.
Dr Gregory Black
SRCCG Governing Body Medicines Management lead
Rachel Ainger
Strategic Lead Pharmacist
May 2015