On the  20th September 2011, four European patient organisations (European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines, European Federation of Neurological Associations, European Men’s Health Forum & European Depression Association), published a consensus statement raising concerns about the unlicensed and off-label use of medicines, and calling for a professional Code of Practice. In light of this, Matt Griffiths discusses why practitioners should use licensed medicines whenever possible.

Professor Matt Griffiths RGN, A&E cert, BA (Hons), FAETC, NISP, Independent Nurse Consultant, Visiting Professor of Prescribing & Medicines Management, The University of the West of England, Bristol, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, The Avenue Surgery, Warminster, Wiltshire.

Article accepted for publication: December 2011