A great deal of work has already taken place as part of the Prescribing Quality and Efficiency Programme (PQEP).

Both primary and secondary care introduced a number of local initiatives and ideas to improve the quality of prescribing.

Kate Bell, PQEP programme director, said: “We have seen some great initiatives across NHS Lanarkshire which has reduced unnecessary expenditure on drugs and variation in prescribing across the system.

“It is important that we do not become complacent and continue to work together to introduce changes which are based on clinically sound proposals to create sustainable efficiencies.”

The move is in line with the Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report, which focuses on providing healthcare which adds value to patient care and reduces harm. It also poses the question of how we reduce unwanted variation in practice and prevent waste.

One successful primary care initiative is the GP Incentive Scheme for Prescribing. NHS Lanarkshire offers the prescribing incentive scheme to all of its member GP practices as encouragement and reward to improve the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of prescribing. Successful implementation has already delivered savings.

Within the acute division, the respiratory service undertook some work to identify savings in the prescribing of inhalers.

Medical director Dr Iain Wallace added: “We will continue to engage with clinicians in primary and secondary care to identify where we can provide support to help deliver realistic medicine ideas. It is essential that prescribing information – such as product choice, cost, trends and guidance – are available to all prescribers throughout NHS Lanarkshire.

“Senior clinical teams have shown strong leadership in this corporate priority area and are ensuring that prescribing quality and efficiency is built into service planning and delivery. The amount we save through our efficiency savings can be used to increase resources in frontline services.”