SFEBES2026 Poster Presentations Nursing Practice (1 abstracts)
Safe prescription frequency for steroids and other vital medications
Lisa Shepherd 1,2 , Aldons Chua 3,4 , Philippa Sharman 2 , Pat McBride 4 , Amy Shingler 4 , Cathy Thompson 2 , Emma Cooper 4 , John Wass 5 & Antonia Brooke 6
1University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 2Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group (ADSHG), Bristol, United Kingdom; 3Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; 4The Pituitary Foundation, Bristol, United Kingdom; 5Department of Endocrinology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom; 6Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
Patients’ anecdotally reported concern around the ease of getting vital endocrine medications, particularly extended prescriptions. NICE Guidelines for the Identification & Management of Adrenal Insufficiency1 stresses the importance of a good medication supply, including sick day dosing and travel. Guidance also suggests individualising for patients and involving them in decisions2. A systemic review of 3 month vs 28-day supply is seen to be cost effective3. A 4-week on-line survey was conducted by the Pituitary Foundation (PF) and Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group (ADSHG) in June 2025 and received 1724 responses (1399 PF, 325 ADSHG) around medications, including steroids, desmopressin, levothyroxine, testosterone, oestrogen. Most people received less than 3 months’ supply (97% PF, 78.8% ADSHG), with over half only getting one month’s supply (60% PF, 55% ADSHG). 33% of patients with short repeats had previously approached their GP for longer. Common refusal reasons included: medicine wastage, stockpiling, supply issues, concern over patient safety, local policy, no reason. Other concerns included slow turnaround (5-7 days), difficulty sourcing hydrocortisone sodium phosphate, delays in hospital communication, and a lack of awareness of the possibility. The PF and ADSHG will raise awareness with professionals through promotion alongside creating templates for professionals and patients, encouraging clinic letters to highlight the need for 3-month supply. Current engagement with the NHSE National Clinical Director for prescribing aims to increase length to a minimum of 56 days with additional ‘sick day’ supply ’one off’ prescriptions easily available. The survey emphasises how pressing this is for patients and the importance of the patient voice.
References: 1. Identification & Management of Adrenal Insufficiency (NICE 2024) 2. BMA: Prescribing in general practice (2018 guidance) 3. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of issuing longer vs shorter duration prescriptions in patients with chronic conditions: systemic review and economic modelling. Miani et al. Health technology assessment (NIHR): 2017. https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hta/HTA21780
Volume 117
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Endocrine Abstracts
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