Ibandronic Acid

Our surgery has refused to prescribe this medication because they say it is not in the formulary. We are unfortunate to be in the BLMK ICB area and, so I am told by the surgery, this medication is non formulary.

Why is it that this medication is listed as formulary in Bucks ICB area and non formulary in the BLMK ICB area.

It is clearly a complete nonsense.

Please can anyone give me a proper scientifically valid reason for this ridiculous anomaly?

In the meantime, my beautiful wife of 53 years cannot access her adjuvant treatment. It is, in this instance anyway, the worst of the NHS, for whom I usually have the greatest respect and admiration. 

I am extremely worried. 

Sincerely 

Jim

  • Hello, and thank you for contacting us.

    I am sorry that you have these concerns about your wife not being able to get Ibandronic acid.

    As a cancer nurse, I am unable to give reasons why the integrated care board for your area does not have this drug in its formulary.

    If your wife's oncologist feels she would benefit from this adjuvant treatment, but it isn't locally available, there can be other ways of potentially accessing these drugs. These pages on our website discuss access to treatments like individual funding requests, the cancer drug fund, and compassionate use.

    Take care, and I am sorry I cannot help with this further. If you would like to talk things through with the nurses the number is 0808 800 4040. Lines are open mon-fri, 9-5.

    Sarah.