A Basic Formulary for General Practice

This basic general practice formulary with about 150 drugs provides adequate, appropriate, and economic drug treatment for 90 per cent of patients encountered in practice. Based on the work of the twenty-five general practitioners who teach medical students in Newcastle upon Tyne, it has been tested in practice in over 7500 consultations. For each common condition there is a list of preferred drugs and their dosages, a few hints on diagnosis and prescribing, and the cost of drugs. All drugs, except proprietary combination preparations, are written in their approved (generic) form. Newer drugs have been included only if they have significant advantages over older, well-tried formulations. The cost of drugs is recognized as an important, though not a paramount, factor governing the inclusion of drugs. The formulary has been written by general practitioners for general practitioners, and coincidentally parallels closely the World Health Organization list of essential drugs.