Oral Supplements for Macular Degeneration- 29/05/2015Staffordshire LOC has been contacted by the South Staffordshire CCGs, with a request to circulate the following information to our fellow optometrists and dispensing opticians. Apparently, the CCGs have been notified by a number of South Staffs GPs that some people have been incorrectly informed by their optometrist or optician that they can obtain oral supplements for age-related macular degeneration on prescription. Naturally, this is causing distress to them when their GP refuses to prescribe. South Staffordshire CCGs wish to make clear that they do not support the prescribing of vitamins for macular degeneration, due to the lack of evidence. Whilst they have no objections to over-the-counter provision of these supplements should people wish to purchase them, they also requested that you are all made aware that GPs in South Staffordshire will not prescribe these vitamins. Staffordshire LOC assured the CCGs that, on the whole, Staffordshire-based optometrists and dispensing opticians are fully aware that scientific support for vitamin/antioxidant supplements in the treatment or prevention of macular degeneration (AMD) is limited, and also that vitamin/antioxidant supplements are not available on a free NHS prescription. However, in case there remains any doubt whatsoever, please click on the following link, and kindly share it all of your resident and locum optometrist and dispensing optician colleagues. It refers to the South Staffordshire ‘Grey List’ Drugs that should not be prescribed in the South Staffordshire Health Economy, which includes ocular nutrition supplements for AMD. http://www.southstaffordshirejointformulary.nhs.uk/docs/misc/GreyList.pdf Thank you for your cooperation. Kind regards
Mark McCracken Joint vice Chair, Staffordshire LOC |
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