Nepalese National Formulary

Nepalese National Formulary – NNF

Nepalese National Formulary is prepared to provide unbiased information on medicines used in the country. It has wide application at various levels of healthcare providers and various levels of health institutions. With the rapid development of science and technology, pharmaceutical research, invention and innovation has resulted into availability of significant treatment options worldwide.

Since there are many new medicines added in the therapeutics armory and many previously used molecules have been found as inferior options or replaced by newer molecules in the clinical experience, it is imperative to revise the current Nepalese National Formulary.

The formulary concept was conceived long before the adoption of National List of Essential Medicines NLEM) in Nepal. The drug advisory committee in 1982 first recommended for the preparation of National formulary manuscript. Through a wide consultation between experts in various therapeutic areas, first draft was prepared in 1996 followed by subsequent edition on the draft the first edition of the formulary was issued in 1997. Then after about 12 years, the second edition with inclusion of new medicines, guidance on prescribing, adoption of INN, addition of appendix with NLEM, ADR reporting form etc, was published in 2010.

Third edition
The third edition of the Nepalese National Formulary consists of three sections containing guidelines on rational use of medicines, classified notes of drugs and appendices respectively. The second section contains 19 chapters including drugs used in dentistry as entirely new addition.

Each chapter is dedicated to specific organ system. The chapter begins with classification with list of drugs in alphabetical order. The major classes of drugs are presented in white color against black background. Drug names are presented in all-capital cases for better visualization. The description of drug consists of dosage form and strength, indications, contraindications/ precautions, dosage schedule, adverse effects, drug and food interaction, and patient information as applicable. The last section contains information on drug interaction, National List of Essential Medicines, 2016 and adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting form.

NNF Developed with the most current evidences and good practices, medical practitioners, pharmacist, nurses and other health care professional can benefit in aligning their day-to day practices for best clinical outcomes and help promote rational use of medicines.