Community Pharmacy Scotland

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PCA(P)(2024)01 - Discontinuation of Print Copies of BNF & BNFC

Scottish Government

Published: 07/02/24

This Circular advises NHS Boards and healthcare professionals that print copies of the British National Formulary (BNF) and BNF for Children (BNFC) will no longer be provided by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and gives a reminder of how to access the digital versions. 

Background

Circular PCA(P)(2013)3, issued in January 2013 provided details on how to access the BNF/BNFC Apps for the latest prescribing information. Circular PCA(P)(2019)9, issued in May 2019, provided details for community pharmacy contractors on how to access the Medicines Complete package of resources, including the BNF/BNFC. 

Eligible healthcare professionals have been able to request annual print copies of both the BNF and BNFC through their health board, with the ordering and distribution coordinated by NSS. In recent years, NSS has worked closely with health boards to significantly reduce the number of print copies distributed and promote the switch to digital versions. There has been a continued increase in usage of the digital formats of BNF and BNFC content. 

The last print versions supplied were BNF 86 and BNFC 2023/24, distributed in autumn 2023. 

Detail

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has taken a decision to end the existing arrangements to supply print editions of BNF and BNFC to NHS organisations from 2024. 

The benefits of moving to digital content include: 

  • Clinical safety – The digital resources are updated monthly providing important clinical and safety information in a timely way. Print versions of the BNF and BNFC are provided once a year and are out of date by the time they are received by users. 

  • Environmental impact – Printing and distribution of the BNF and BNFC has a significant carbon footprint. 

  • Digital transformation – Switching to digital BNF and BNFC content supports the commitment to digital transformation. 

NHS Scotland users can continue to access the BNF/BNFC free of charge either via NICE at BNF (British National Formulary) | NICE or through the BNF/BNFC App. 

In addition, BNF content can be integrated into a local formulary by using BNF on FormularyComplete; see http://www.bnf.org for details.