Skip to main content

Quick Guide to BNF / BNFc

Get access to the information you need on drugs and medicines.

What is it?

The BNF is the British National Formulary and the BNFc is the British National Formulary for Children. These are the key authoritative, reference texts for information about drugs and medications, provided especially for UK healthcare staff.

How to Access…

Who is it for?

These texts are available for NHS staff and healthcare students.

Log in

The BNF and BNFc are available in a range of formats. You will need login details for some formats but not all.

  • Keele Staff and Students – use your Keele login details
  • NHS Staff – use your NHS OpenAthens username / password


Key Formats

Print Book

We hold print versions of the BNF and the BNFc within the Health Library. These are available for reference. You can find the BNF at shelf mark RS125.B7 and the BNFc at shelf mark RJ560.B7.

Medicines Complete (login required)

The BNF and BNFc are available online via the Medicines Complete interface. You will need to log in to access Medicines Complete. More drugs-based texts may be available within Medicines Complete dependent on the subscription of your organisation.

NICE Evidence (freely available)

An online version of both the BNF and BNFc is available via the NICE Evidence website:

Home page for the BNF on the NICE Evidence website
Home page for the BNF on the NICE Evidence website


Mobile App

A mobile app is available from the publishers, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. One app contains content to both texts. Search for “BNF Publications” on your App Store. The app is free and no login is required. Please check the terms and conditions for allowed use.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hot Topic! Meningitis

 As the BBC reports on the tragic meningitis outbreak in Kent , here are some resources that might help you to understand this condition more. Check these resources for an overview, key points, diagnosis, treatment options, follow-up and more. [You will need your NHS OpenAthens username to access these resources] BMJ Best Practice – Overview of Meningitis , Bacterial meningitis in adults Clinical Key (available to UHNM only) – Bacterial Meningitis in Adults , Bacterial Meningitis in Children Clinical Knowledge Summaries – Meningitis - bacterial meningitis and meningococcal disease Oxford Medicine Online – Chapter 52 Meningitis in Oxford Clinical Guidelines: Newly Qualified Doctor (2023) Patient Information MenACWY vaccine [BMJ Best Practice] Bacterial meningitis in adults [BMJ Best Practice] Bacterial Infection of the Lining of the Brain and Spinal Cord (Bacterial Meningitis) in Children: What to Know [Clinical Key] Clinical Calculators -  Bacterial Meningitis Scor...

Hot Topic! Obesity

  World Obesity Federation says half a billion children will be overweight and calls on governments to act to create healthier environments – a startling headline in the Guardian this month. Learn more about how obesity affects patients. Check these resources for an overview, key points, diagnosis, treatment options, follow-up and more. [You will need your NHS OpenAthens username to access these resources] BMJ Best Practice – Obesity in Adults ; Obesity in Children Clinical Key (available to UHNM only) – Obesity in Adults, Lifestyle Modifications in Management ; Obesity in Pregnancy ; Obesity: pharmacologic management Clinical Knowledge Summaries – Obesity Cochrane Library systematic reviews – Intermittent fasting for adults with overweight or obesity ; What are the effects of adding digital interventions to usual care for managing obesity in children and adolescents? Oxford Medicine Online – Preparing for weight loss surgery : therapist guide (Apple, Robin F. (Robin Faye); ...

Hot Topic! Cervical Cancer

  Period blood test could offer less invasive alternative to cervical screening reported the BBC in February. This interesting and less invasive test is still undergoing research. What do you know about cervical cancer? Check these resources for an overview, key points, diagnosis, treatment options, follow-up and more. [You will need your NHS OpenAthens username to access these resources] BMJ Best Practice – Cervical cancer - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice ; Cervical cancer screening - Medical information | BMJ Best Practice Clinical Key (available to UHNM only) – Cervical Cancer - ClinicalKey ; Cervical Cancer, Survivorship - ClinicalKey Clinical Knowledge Summaries – Cervical screening | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE Cochrane Library systematic reviews – Effects of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes on community rates of HPV‐related disease and harms from vaccination - Henschke, N - 2025 | Cochrane Library Patient Inf...