netFormulary NHS
North East and North Cumbria
ICS Formulary
 Search
 Formulary Chapter 13: Skin - Full Chapter
Notes:

Specials Recommended by the British Association of Dermatologists for Skin Disease

Most prescribing uses licensed medicines whose safety and efficacy are assured. For many common dermatological diseases including psoriasis and eczema, the range of licensed medicines is limited. As a result, Dermatology prescribing may rely significantly on unlicensed creams and ointments (known as ‘Specials’) containing tars, dithranol, salicylic acid, steroids and other active constituents in a range of concentrations and bases. This is of particular concern in primary care where lack of effective price controls and a mechanism to ensure independent scrutiny of product quality has increased costs and concern about standards. To address these concerns, and help optimise quality of care, adherence to the revised British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) list of preferred Specials (2018) is encouraged.

 Details...
13.02.01  Expand sub section  Emollients
Aqueous Cream BP
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Due to the SLS content to be used as a soap substitute only.
 
 
Aveeno® (Cream)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Cetraben®
(Cream and ointment)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
DoubleBase®gel
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
E45®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Emulsifying Ointment BP
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Epaderm® emollient
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Hydromol® Ointment is made to the same formula and is more cost effective.
 
 
Epimax®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Hydromol® ointment
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • This product is also known locally as ‘Emulsifying Ointment RVI
    Formula’. It is softer than emulsifying ointment BP. Epaderm ointment is
    made to the same formula, but is more expensive.
 
 
Hydrous® ointment
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Oilatum® cream
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Oilatum® Junior cream
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Paraffin sterile liquid
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
QV®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus
  • Approved for used in radiotherapy only.
 
 
ZeroAQS®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • SLS free alternative to Aqueous Cream.
 
 
Zerobase®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Alternative to Diprobase
 
 
Zerocream®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Alternative to E45® Cream.
 
 
Zerodouble® Gel
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Alternative to Doublebase gel.
 
 
Zeroveen® cream
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Alternative to Aveeno
 
 
White Soft Paraffin BP
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Yellow Soft Paraffin BP
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
AquaGel lubricating jelly
(oil-free)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
  • Approved for the relief of dryness of the nose, lips and face when a patient is using oxygen via nasal prongs, CPAP masks etc
 
 
13.02.01  Expand sub section  Emollients - preparations containing urea
Balneum® Plus cream
(Emollient preparation containing Urea)
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
Calmurid® emollient
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
13.02.01  Expand sub section  Emollients - with antimicrobials
Dermol®
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green plus
 
 
Dermol® 500 Lotion
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Green
 
 
13.02.01.01  Expand sub section  Emollient bath and shower preparations
 note 

Note: Emollient bath and shower preparations are included in the NHS England guidance Items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care   

Hydromol® bath and shower
View adult BNF View SPC online View childrens BNF
Formulary
Red
  • For inpatient use only as per Trust Moisture-Associated Tissue Damage (MASD) guidelines
 
 
 ....
Key
note Notes
Section Title Section Title (top level)
Section Title Section Title (sub level)
First Choice Item First Choice item
Non Formulary Item Non Formulary section
Restricted Drug
Restricted Drug
Unlicensed Drug
Unlicensed
Track Changes
Display tracking information
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to adult BNF
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to children's BNF
click to search medicines.org.uk
Link to SPCs
Cytotoxic Drug
Cytotoxic Drug
CD
Controlled Drug
High Cost Medicine
High Cost Medicine
NHSE
NHS England
Homecare
Homecare
CCG
CCG

Traffic Light Status Information

Status Description

Red

Drugs for hospital use only. The responsibility for initiation and monitoring treatment should rest with an appropriate hospital clinician and the drug should be supplied through the hospital throughout the duration of treatment. In some very exceptional circumstances (e.g. due to distance from the hospital, storage, supply or mobility/transport problems) it may be appropriate for the GP to be asked to prescribe a Red drug. This should be negotiated on an individual patient basis and should only be done with the GP’s prior informed agreement where the roles of the GP and hospital services are clearly defined and agreed. The GP should not feel under pressure to prescribe in these circumstances. For all RED drugs automatically added to the formulary in response to a positive NICE TA: Prescribers need to ensure that local Trust new drug governance procedures and pharmacy processes are followed before any prescribing.  

Amber

Drugs initiated by hospital specialist, but where continuing treatment by GPs may be appropriate under a shared care arrangement. The specialist should send the GP a copy of the shared care agreement to sign. The GP should sign the shared care agreement, or indicate they do not want to be part of such an agreement, and return a copy back to the specialist. Shared care guidelines are available or are being developed for most of the drugs listed as Amber. If no shared care guideline is available, the hospital specialist should provide the patient’s GP with sufficient information and support to allow treatment to be continued and managed safely in primary care.  

Green plus

Drugs normally recommended or initiated by a specialist (hospital or GP with an extended role https://www.rcgp.org.uk/gpwer), but can be safely maintained in primary care with very little or no monitoring required. In some cases there may be a further restriction for use outlined - these will be defined in each case. Provision of additional information, or an information leaflet, may be appropriate in some cases to facilitate continuing treatment by GPs.  

Green

Drugs where prescribing by GPs is appropriate. Can be initiated and prescribed in all care settings, and if appropriate, discontinued without recourse to secondary care.  

Black

NOT APPROVED: Drugs that have been considered by NTAG or the NENC ICB Medicines Subcommittee (or other approved body) and are not approved for prescribing within the North East and North Cumbria.   

Brown

UNDER REVIEW: drugs whose current formulary status or RAG status is currently under review.  

Not Recomended

NOT REVIEWED: Drugs that haven not been reviewed yet. This usually means that an application is in progress. These drugs are not normally considered appropriate for prescribing in the North East and North Cumbria until such time that a decision is taken on their formulary status.  

netFormulary