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23 August 2021

Pharmaceutical Press and BMJ, joint publishers of BNF Publications, and their partner Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, have been awarded a 12-year contract from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to continue supply of British National Formulary content to the National Health Service (NHS).

The first choice for concise medicines information, British National Formulary (BNF) and BNF for Children content is trusted by healthcare professionals in the UK and across the world to support confident decision-making at the point of care.

This significant investment from NICE demonstrates unequivocal confidence in the publishers, and further strengthens a long-established relationship between the NHS in the UK and the BNF. 

Relied on by healthcare professionals globally for use in everyday practice, BNF content on MedicinesComplete is referred to over 6 million times a year.  A rigorous editorial process ensuring the content within BNF Publications is accurate, up-to-date and reflects recent best practice, is overseen by the Joint Formulary Committee or Paediatric Formulary Committee, bodies comprising pharmacy, medical, nursing and lay representatives, as well as representation from UK health departments, national guideline providers and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Karen Baxter, Pharmaceutical Press Managing Director, said, “The BNF is an integral part of the healthcare infrastructure in the UK and is committed to an enduring relationship with the NHS.  The award of this contract is testament to our highly regarded and rigorous editorial process and ensures BNF will continue to support healthcare professionals to improve patient safety with trusted, independent and evidence-checked knowledge.”

Chris Jones, BMJ Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Since the first edition of the BNF was published in 1949 we've been working with our partners at Pharmaceutical Press to ensure all healthcare professionals have access to trusted evidence-based drug information. This continued support from NICE will ensure continued provision of BNF and BNF for Children content for NHS health professionals across the UK. Working with NICE we will continue to evolve the BNF, both in print and digital, to ensure the best possible support for those who prescribe, dispense, and administer medicines."

Jo Revill, CEO of RCPCH, and Nigel Gooding, Chair of NPPG, said, “The RCPCH and NPPG are delighted to continue our successful working partnership with Pharmaceutical Press and BMJ to provide BNF for Children to our clinicians in the UK. The contract extension with NICE gives us a strong foundation to continue to expand our work to ensure medicines are prescribed and administered safely to children and young people.”

ENDS

About BMJ

As a global healthcare knowledge provider, BMJ publishes one of the world’s most cited general medical journals, The BMJ, and over 70 specialty journals. The organisation also offers digital professional development courses and clinical decision support tools to help health professionals improve the quality of healthcare delivery. Explore more about BMJ: bmj.com/company

About Pharmaceutical Press

When healthcare professionals need to make the right decision, Pharmaceutical Press puts evidence-based pharmaceutical knowledge at their fingertips.

Trusted worldwide for providing accessible clinical advice that improves patient safety, with an unmatched commitment to independently sourcing, evaluating and communicating the most accurate information.

As the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s knowledge business, we invest all our resources into creating world-class tools that promote best practice in medicines use, which means healthcare professionals can quickly and confidently make the most informed decisions.

https://about.medicinescomplete.com/

About the Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Our mission is to put pharmacy at the forefront of healthcare. Our vision is to become the world leader in the safe and effective use of medicines.

Since the Society was founded in 1841, we have championed the profession, and are internationally renowned as publishers of medicines information. Our Royal Charter gives us a unique status in pharmacy.

We promote pharmacy in the media and government, lead the way in medicines information, and support pharmacists in their education and development.

https://www.rpharms.com/

About the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is the membership body for paediatricians in the UK and around the world. Founded in 1996 and now with about 19,000 members in the UK and internationally, it plays a major role in postgraduate medical education, professional standards, research and policy. https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/

About NPPG

The Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group was formed in 1994, and now has over 500 members. The group aims to improve the care of neonates, infants and children by advancing the personal development of pharmacists and the provision of quality pharmacy services in relation to practice, research and audit, education and training, communication and advice. NPPG also works closely with various paediatric organisations and national bodies to provide advice on safe and effective use of medicines in children. https://nppg.org.uk/