Send Feedback

Print

Mobile

 Back

CDHB

The Preferred Medicines List (PML), known as the Pink Book

The Pink Book guides local prescribing and includes common daily dose ranges, costs, PHARMAC restrictions, and advice about prescribing. It lists the "preferred" drugs used at CDHB and is not restrictive. It is updated annually, and is written in conjunction with local Specialists. It is available in hard copy from the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, and on the CDHB intranet.

The Pink Book has three main sections:

The PML section:

• Drugs should be selected from the Preferred Medicines List unless there is a compelling reason not to, e.g., patients admitted on a non-PML drug.
• Drugs noted 'Cons' should only be prescribed with Consultant approval.
• Drugs with PHARMAC restrictions should be used within the restriction.

The Antimicrobial Guidelines section:

• System based guidelines for specific infections and pathogens.
• Surgical prophylaxis and postoperative antibiotic guidelines.

The Pharmacology Guidelines section:

• Gentamicin/tobramycin and vancomycin dosing guidelines.
• Drug use in renal and liver impairment, the elderly, and the obese.
• Pharmacogenetics.
• Drug and food interactions.
• Drugs in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Drug concentration monitoring.
• Adverse drug reactions.
• Common polypharmacy toxicities (including serotonin toxicity).
• Drug metabolism (including Cytochrome P450) and interactions.
• Drug profiles, for commonly used drugs.

Topic Code: 1289