There are a number of treatments being recommended as an interim option for use within NHS England supported by NICE COVID-19 rapid guidelines. In order to ensure that there is timely access to these medicines in Wales and in accordance with the NICE COVID-19 rapid guidelines, an interim process for submission and review has been developed.
The process enables a once-for-Wales decision to be made in an equitable, consistent and timely manner supporting clinicians in NHS Wales to access these medicines for their patients.
Please click on the following link to find out more about the guidance: All Wales implementation of COVID-19 NICE rapid guidelines.
The associated submission form can be accessed here.
Temporary update to include compassionate supply of unlicensed medicines.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the requirement to change clinical practice to allow for continued administration of treatment whilst minimising attendance at clinics and wards, and optimising patient safety. The All Wales Guidance - Free of Charge Medicine Supply will now include compassionate supply of certain unlicensed medicines for which there is a service and/or patient benefit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are clinical situations when the use of unlicensed medicines or medicines outside the terms of the licence (i.e. ‘off-label’) may be judged by the prescriber to be in the best interest of the patient on the basis of available evidence. Refer to the GMC website for Prescribing Guidance: Prescribing unlicensed medicines. The pharmaceutical company should make their submissions to the All Wales Therapeutics and Toxicology Centre (AWTTC) at AWTTC@nhs.wales.uk.
Please click on the following link to find out more about the guidance: All Wales Guidance - Free of Charge Medicine Supply
The process for the consideration of compassionate supply of unlicensed medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic and the submission form are described in Appendix 2.
The associated submission form can be accessed here.
N.B. The updates to the guidance relating to unlicensed use of medicines are only applicable during the COVID-19 pandemic; they will be reviewed in three months, or before that in the light of a significant change in the situation.