Information for the public
About this information
NICE clinical guidelines advise the NHS on caring for people with specific conditions or diseases and the treatments they should receive. The information applies to people using the NHS in England and Wales.
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2015 Some advice on communication between healthcare professionals when a patient is transferred from one care setting to another has been updated and replaced by Medicines optimisation (NICE guideline 5). See the guideline for more information. |
This information explains the advice about enabling patients to make informed choices by involving and supporting them in decisions about prescribed medicines that is set out in NICE guideline CG76.
In this information 'medicines' is used as a general term to refer to prescribed medicines and includes tablets, syrups, ointments, creams, eyedrops and suppositories.
In the NHS in England and Wales, medicines can be prescribed by doctors and by some nurses and pharmacists who have special training. Because this guidance applies to all members of the healthcare team who prescribe and review medicines, this information refers to 'your healthcare professional' throughout.
Does this information apply to me?
The advice in the NICE guideline covers all adults, including people with disabilities, people from all cultures and those whose first language is not English.
It does not specifically look at children and young people. However, the recommendations may be considered for children and young people if they are thought able to take part in decisions on prescribed medicines.