This Bulletin is the first of three MeReC Bulletins which support the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) agenda. The bulletin focuses on three of the key prescribing topics outlined in the NPC document, Key therapeutic topics - Medicines management options for local implementation.

The topics included in this Bulletin are:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Antibiotic prescribing - especially quinolones and cephalosporins

• High dose inhaled corticosteroids in asthma

Topics to be included in the second bulletin are: antipsychotics in dementia; statins and ezetimibe; and hypnotics. The third bulletin will cover hypoglycaemic agents; long-acting insulin analogues; and self-monitoring of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes.