Prescribing opioids in general practice

Abstract

In this scenario you are working as a practice nurse in a large GP practice.
Your local formulary recommends morphine as the first line strong opioid analgesic. Your practice pharmacist has analysed your prescribing data to check whether prescribing is in accordance with the formulary. The analysis reveals that the practice is prescribing a large proportion of non-formulary or second line strong opioids.
In the average UK practice, morphine makes up 30% of all strong opioids prescribed. In your practice, it makes up just 20% of all strong opioids prescribed.
Your pharmacist has identified a list of 50 patients on non-formulary or second line strong opioids, all for chronic pain