This post originally appeared on our sister blog, InsideMedicalDevices.
The General Medical Council in the UK has issued new prescribing guidance for doctors that includes detailed provisions on prescribing medical devices and managing patients using medical devices. The GMC’s previous guidance was focused almost exclusively on medicines. The new guidance recognizes that medical devices — particularly software-based devices and remote monitoring devices — are playing a greater role in managing patients. In addressing good medical practice, it encourages physicians to make use of electronic systems that can improve the safety of prescribing, such as by highlighting interactions and allergies. The guidance also reminds physicians of the obligation to report adverse incidents and near misses involving medical devices. The guidance, published on 31 January 2013, is available here.