Welcome to the Specials section of the website.
Specials are special-order unlicensed medicines made to meet the needs of an individual patient. They have not been assessed for safety, quality or efficacy by the relevant licensing authorities and the prescriber carries all legal responsibility. Unlicensed medicines may be prescribed in clinical situations where it is judged that, on the basis of available evidence, unlicensed use is in the best interest of the patient.
Off-label use of a licensed product (such as crushing tablets and opening capsules) may therefore be preferable to prescribing a wholly unlicensed pharmaceutical special.
Wherever possible prescribers should seek to prescribe licensed medicines, and only in rare circumstances should a special be prescribed. Patient agreement must be obtained for prescribing any special.
In this section you will find information on possible licensed alternatives.
Documents can be accessed by clicking the links below.
For any enquiries, please contact us.
Information for patients
- Template letter
- Unlicensed medicines for children
- Patient info leaflet
- Patient information leaflet – no special prescribed
Prescribing guidance
- EoE Specials toolkit
- NEWT Guidelines
- NPC Prescribing specials – five guiding principals for prescribers
- UKMi Therapeutic options for patients
- Waltham Forest specials quick wins
- Unlicensed Medicines and Unlicensed Uses – July 2018
Requirements for prescribing and dispensing a special
Safety and legal implications
