Electronic formularies in General Practice
Guidance on the use of electronic formularies in General Practice
NHS Lothian have developed electronic formularies (eLJF) for both INPS Vision and EMIS PCS Clinical systems, based on formulary recommendations. Both systems also have disease based prescribing aids. Colleagues in NHS Borders and NHS Fife should not follow the information here and instead contact their local Formulary Pharmacist for guidance.
NHS Lothian - INPS Vision Formulary
The FMY-file is the list of drugs from the formulary. The list is selected from the drug directory within Vision (called Gemscript) and saved as an FMY-file. The list is maintained by the NHS Lothian Medicines Management Team and installed remotely by the GMS facilitators. The file is updated every two months.
NHS Lothian - eLJF-CLINICAL for INPS Vision
eLJF-CLINICAL is a guideline for the INPS Vision clinical system that enables prescribing based on defined clinical headings. The clinical headings are set out in formulary layout within BNF chapter headings. This allows the clinician to locate a formulary drug in a number of ways depending on their own preference.
- Teach yourself eLJF-CLINICAL (3 minute PowerPoint slide show)
- Teach yourself eLJF-CLINICAL (PDF guide)
- Guide to repeat prescribing in eLJF-CLINICAL
- Guide to prescribing 'specials' in eLJF-CLINICAL
NHS Lothian - EMIS Formulary
The EFM file contains the EMIS version of the formulary, when correctly installed and configured, formulary drugs appear in bold when in the add drug prescribing screen. The list is maintained by the East & Midlothian Prescribing Support Team and is updated every six months. The GMS facilitator will be available to provide support to practices who have issues with installation.
NHS Lothian - eLJF Synonyms for EMIS
The list of formulary EMIS Synonyms is based where possible on disease states and provides guidance on the first and second choice drug treatment in the formulary. The list uses the same headings as eLJF-Clinical for INPS practices.
It is important to be using the most up to date version on eLJF Synonyms for EMIS. The version can be found by looking at the Name of the synonym set in the Practice Synonyms part of Dictionaries and Templates.
If you require a copy of the EMIS eLJF synonyms (XML file, June 2021) or EMIS eLJF preferred list (EFM file, June 2021), please contact the Medicines Governance and Guidance Team.