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Ibandronic Acid - a drug for helping to keep bones strong as part of a cancer treatment regime

Jimbat
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The professor at our loca NHS hospital cancer treatment centre has requested our local surgery to prescribe Ibandronic Acid (a bisphosphonate) as part of my wife's breast cancer treatment regime. The surgery have said that they cannot prescrtbe this medication because it is non formulary. How is this possible???

My point is simply that I completely fail to comprehend that a top NHS cancer consultant would ask a GP to prescibe a medication that they are unable provide.

Please please please.................. can any one explain to me how this is possible.???

  • Hi there and thanks for posting

    I am sorry to hear about your wife's situation and your frustrations around getting the Ibandronic acid from her GP.

    Just to say there is guidance and local formulary's about which medications GP's are allowed to prescribe, 1st 2nd line and so on. This guidance can vary between ICB ( Intergrated Care Boards) around the country. From what I can see on some of these is that Ibandronic acid is a 'restricted' medication and often can only be prescribed by a GP if guided by the hospital consultant in the case of certain breast cancer diagnosis.

    I suggest you ask the GP surgery to liase with the hospital to ensure your wife gets the treatment she requires.

    I hope this helps.

    Naomi

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