User guides and videos

Flags and icons

As you navigate through the formulary website and mobile app you will see various flags and icons. Hover your mouse over the image (or tap the image if using a mobile device) to check what it means. Details of common flags and icons are shown in the table below:

	Adult formulary recommendations
	Child formulary recommendations
	Pharmacy First (minor ailments) formulary recommendations
	Specialist Initiation: the medicine must be initiated by a specialist clinician, the specialist could be working in any setting, the medicine is appropriate to be continued in a primary care setting. The initiation could be a recommendation to the GP to start the medicine or in some instances initial prescribing and supply of the medicine will be from the specialist service transferring to primary care after an initial trial or perhaps when a stable maintenance dose is achieved. Additional details specific to the medicine including restrictions will be included in the formulary content or in links to local or regional prescribing information. Legal responsibility for prescribing lies with the doctor or health professional who signs the prescription, and it is the responsibility of the individual prescriber to prescribe within their own level of competence.
	Specialist Use Only: it is recommended that the medicines must only be prescribed by a specialist. Initiation and monitoring of treatment should remain under the direct supervision of the appropriate specialist clinician. Additional details specific to the medicine including restrictions will be included in the formulary content or in links to local or regional prescribing information.
	Unlicensed Indication: the product is licensed, but use is outwith the licence. For example, this could be when used for an off-label indication, or outside the age range of the marketing authorisation. Off-label use could also be different dosing or when the medicine is given a different way (e.g. different route, or manipulation of the dosage form by crushing the tablet). The UI flag will only be used where all use of the medicine in the condition pathway is considered off label. Refer to the BNF or BNFc monographs and product information for further details.
	Unlicensed Medicine: a medicine with no UK marketing authorisation.

Video guides

We've developed the two short videos below (less than 4 minutes each) to demonstrate some of the functionality of the website and mobile app.  The app can be downloaded from Apple and Google Play stores under the name 'NHS Scotland Formulary'.