Optimisation of Nutritional Products

Nutritional products on prescription

The nutrition workstream focuses on appropriate prescribing of oral nutritional items including specialist infant formulas and oral nutrition supplements (ONS) across the lifespan. Dietitians can request nutrition on prescription but cannot independently prescribe. In 2016 dietitians became eligible to become Supplementary Prescribers on completion of further training. Dietitians are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Prescriptions for nutrition are indicated in a number of clinical conditions, both temporary and lifelong. Nutritional products can be a supportive measure, or a highly complex treatment such as for inherited metabolic disorders.

What is the ACBS?

The Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) approves all nutritional products listed in Part XV of the Drug Tariff and the British National Formulary. Over 1400 nutritional products are listed with significant variation in indications and product specifications. The ACBS does not influence or monitor prices. Further information on ACBS is available here

How does NHSLPP support nutrition stewardship?

The NHS London Procurement Partnership Nutrition and Hydration Prescribing Group includes members from across the health economy in London and beyond. There are opportunities to share best practice and develop specialist knowledge of appropriate nutritional prescribing.

Current projects include:

• Nutrition Transfers of Care – Information standards (due to be published Autumn 2024)
• Sustainability work (due to be published Autumn 2024)

To support the sustainability and social value agenda, we have published ‘Scoping the sustainability impact of Oral Nutritional Supplements’. We look forward to progressing this work with our stakeholders.

For further information please contact rebecca.fisher@lpp.nhs.uk