We want to identify and address unwarranted variation and waste in prescribing. To do this, we must make sure that the same criteria apply throughout West Yorkshire by introducing standard commissioning policies for medicines and prescribing. Everyone should have the same access to the same treatments, including when new medicines become available on the NHS.
We are already very efficient in relation to prescribing and achieving best value from our medicines budgets, but there are still opportunities to improve. We will continue to reduce the prescribing of medicines that have little evidence to show that they work well, and medicines that can be bought ‘over-the-counter’ such as paracetamol and antihistamines for short term use.
Link to NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board Area Prescribing Committee
Please note that previously all medicines classification and guidelines went through two distinct area prescribing committees, one based in Leeds (Leeds Area Prescrbing Committee) and another that served the areas of Bradford & Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield (South West Yorkshire Area Prescribing Committee).
Since September 2021, all work approving new prescribing classifications and shared care guidelines has gone through a single West Yorkshire Area Prescribing Committee. This single West Yorkshire Area Prescribing Committee is also overseeing the alignment of all existing medicines classifications and harmonisation of all prescribing guidelines.
Due to the scale of this task, all new medicines classifications and guidelines are currently being updated on the existing websites for each Area Prescribing Committee. Once we are in a more aligned position these websites will be closed and a single medicines classification list and guidelines section will be hosted on a single website.
Until this happens, please continue to use the existing Area Prescribing Committee websites that serves your area. Please note that until the work is completed, some guidances shown on existing websites may be out of date but are still considered valid.
- Leeds medicines classification/guidelines (Leeds Area Prescribing Committee) - N3 connection needed
- Bradford District & Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield
For any queries or suggestions for updates, please email
wyicb-kirk.