Introduction
On-call pharmacy staff may be required to obtain rarely used medicines (RUM) out of hours. This guide provides instructions on how to use Define and Exend to locate these medicines
RUM and antidote stock reports
Define is a software tool from RxInfo that can be used to access a range of reports for medicines that have been predefined as RUMs. These reports show which trusts have recently used a RUM and may therefore have stock.
The current RUM list is based on a review of all pre-existing RUM lists from across the NHS. While some medicines from those lists are now widely used in certain regions, a small number are rarely used and are highly specialised. These medicines are typically used in specialist centres, which should maintain stock of these medicines.
Using the pre-built reports on Define, users can view the use of a RUM within their region. The reports will show any supply of that medicine to a cost centre within that Trust, if issued to a patient or ward stock. However, the reports do not show quantities of stock held within pharmacies, nor allow users to look outside their own region.
The Exend tool, also provided by RxInfo, allows a national view of RUM stock held in pharmacies. It includes a report showing stock held across the country of the Category C antidotes (as defined by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine).
Exend does not show stock holding outside of pharmacy locations.
Using the guide
The attached document provides instructions to guide you through the steps needed to access the RUM and antidote reports, and related stock holdings. On-call pharmacy staff should use this guide to locate stock of RUMs or antidotes, if needed out of hours.
Attachments
- Viewing RUMs and Category C Antidotes with Define - How to Guide -September 2025 V4Opens in a new window · Word · 3 MB
Update history
- Published