About British National Formulary

The BNF is published jointly by the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. This essential reference provides up-to-date, practical guidance on prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines.

The BNF evaluates clinical evidence from diverse sources with information validated by a network of clinical experts and published under the authority of a Joint Formulary Committee. The BNF reflects current best practice as well as legal and professional guidelines relating to the uses of medicines.  The resource includes:

• Guidance on the drug management of common conditions
• Details of medicines with special reference to their uses, cautions, contra-indications, side-effects, doses and relative costs
• Guidance on prescribing, monitoring, dispensing and administering medicines

Purpose

• To provide rapid reference to essential information on the selection of safe and effective medicines for individual patients
• To provide authoritative, impartial and where available, evidence-based advice on prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines
• To reflect promptly changes in product availability as well as emerging safety concerns and shifts in clinical practice

Audience

• Prescribers
• Pharmacists
• Dentists
• Nurses
• Other healthcare professionals
• Students training to join the health professions