2024-09-20
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Was a wonderful but in the past year has become unusable on iPhone.
Updating
BNF Publications
Released: 2017-06-26
© 2021 BMJ Group, RCPCH Publications Ltd and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
+6
#40 in Top Free Apps > Medical
+16
#14 in Top Free iPad Apps > Medical
iPhone Screenshots
iPad Screenshots
Description
The British National Formulary is the first choice for concise medicines information and trusted by healthcare professionals to support confident decision-making at the point of care.
The BNF and BNF for Children app makes it easy to access up-to-date BNF guidance on prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines, even when you are offline.
The app use is exclusive to UK-based individuals undertaking work (or training) for the NHS. Downloading the app will indicate your acceptance of the Terms and Conditions [http://www.bnf.org/products/bnfbnfcapp/bnf-bnf-app-terms-and-conditions/]. If you do not agree to the Terms and Conditions, you may not use the app.
The BNF and BNF for Children app provides:
• Simple search or browse interface, allowing you to easily switch between adult and child content, colour-coded to aid navigation
• Full functionality online and offline
• Powerful interactions checker tool
• BNF content updated every month
What's New in Version 3.2.23
In this update to the British National Formulary, we have made 4 significant changes in drug monographs and treatment summaries. There have been significant dose changes to 5 drug monographs. We have also added 6 new monographs and details about 2 new medicinal products. Lastly, we have removed 2 medicinal products.
Seller
Name
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
Information
Categories
Version
3.2.23
Size
323.2 MB
Game Center
No
VPP Device Licensing
Yes
Rating
Rated 17+ for the following:
Infrequent/Mild Sexual Content and Nudity
Frequent/Intense Medical/Treatment Information
Infrequent/Mild Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References
Compatibility
iOS 14.1 or later
Devices
iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16Plus, iPhone 16Pro, iPhone 16ProMax, iPad (5th Generation) Wi-Fi, iPad (5th Generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (6th generation) Wi-Fi, iPad (6th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro, iPad Pro (Cellular), iPad Pro (9.7-inch), iPad Pro (9.7-inch) (Cellular), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (10.5-inch), iPad Pro (10.5-inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11-inch), iPad Pro (11-inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air, iPad Air (Cellular), iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 (Cellular), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini Retina, iPad mini Retina (Cellular), iPad mini 3, iPad mini 3 (Cellular), iPad mini 4, iPad mini 4 (Cellular), iPad mini (5th Generation), iPad mini (5th Generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (7th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (4th Generation) (Wi-Fi), iPad Air (4th Generation) (Wi-Fi + Cellular), iPad (8th generation) Wi-Fi, iPad (8th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th Generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th Generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (9th Generation), iPad (9th Generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (6th Generation), iPad mini (6th Generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (5th generation), iPad Air (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (10th generation), iPad (10th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M2) Wi-Fi, iPad Air 13-inch (M2) Wi-Fi, iPad Air 13-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) Wi-Fi, iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Wi-Fi, iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad MiniA17Pro, iPad MiniA17ProCellular, iPod touch (6th Generation), iPod touch (7th generation)
Languages
English
App Store: Customer Ratings
Ratings & Reviews
4.2 of 5 (684 Ratings)
App Store: Customer Reviews
2024-08-06
Great app
This is a app which really has all the relevant information at a touch of a button
2024-03-31
Hmm
Useful for medical students
2023-08-25
Finally
At last the iOS app is finally working again
2023-07-20
Highlighting option
Could you please add an option for highlighting / underlying words/sentences and writing some notes with Apple Pencil please? Thank you
2023-05-24
Still unusable since update
Still can’t use this since the update requiring log-in broke the app. I have a log-in that works on the website, but something is defective in the app when logging in, so I can’t access any drug information. You will note all the positive reviews are a few years old, before this change was made
2023-05-24
Poor
Two years on and I still can’t access the app despite reassurance that an update will fix the problem.
As a junior doctor reliant on the BNF, it’s so disappointing this isn’t being fixed.
2023-05-24
Annoyed
Since being asked to register I no longer have access to this app because an error message keeps popping up every time I try to log on. I’ve tried repeatedly registering via different email addresses and no success. The support team via email is unhelpful too
2023-05-17
Access token
Was great app , unable to use for about 2 years , no fix in updates
2023-05-12
App is dead
Has not worked since iOS 16 Support has no solution apart from check everyday! An important and essential app like this should be sorted out immediately. Unacceptable
2023-04-30
Not working well
It always pops up ‘missing access token’
😡😡😡😡
2023-04-18
it aight
nahh g it's cool man
2023-04-14
App issues
Can’t access app since log in requirement. Keeps coming up with server error. Saying can’t connect to server: the following required parameters for the identity service were missing: access token
Not sure what this means. I’ve tried deleting and reinstalling app but still comes up with this message.
2023-04-12
Unable to Access Since iOS Update
Unable to access due to the iOS update. No timeline for fixing this. Very disappointing as I need this app for work, the desktop version just isn’t as intuitive to use. Please, please make fixing this a priority.
Positives: The staff handling the emails are responsive, even if they can’t offer a timeline (I realise this situation is beyond their control).
2023-03-27
Needs an offline mode
To echo many other reviewers: since mandating creating an account and connecting to the internet every time it is opened, this app has gone from indispensable to burdensome. Anyone trying to “quickly” look up a medication while working on a ward with no mobile signal and tenuous NHS Wi-Fi will know exactly what I mean.
2023-03-21
Not working
I just installed this app but I can't seem to get past start page. It doesn't work :(
2023-03-20
Cannot access app.
iPhone 14 pro - when I open the app and try to log in it says 'invalid access token'. Developers do not help at all.
2023-03-18
Can’t log in since iOS 16
Like many users been unable to login with iOS 16 for months and months. The developers are aware of the issue but do not fix it. Why can’t they remove the registration and log in until the iOS app is fit for purpose as I really miss it
2023-02-06
Can’t login since new update
Can’t login since new update.. frustrating
PLEASE FIX IT
2023-02-01
Can’t log in!
The app is unusable. Cannot log in and have even tried to register a new email address but not allowing me to.
2023-01-14
App is not allowing me to login
I am trying to login this app on my new phone, but I can’t login despite resetting my credentials several times. Can someone help me please. I used previously without any issues.
2023-01-04
Malfunctioning
Never work the app
2023-01-02
Not functional at all
Used to be fine, now cannot login anymore which means cannot use at all. All support can tell is “check every 24 hours” and that it’s something to do with ios. Doesn’t sound like they’re trying to help/fix
2022-12-26
Update doesn’t work on iPhone
Since the login requirement has been made mandatory in September I have been unable to use the app. Repeatedly see an error message when I try to login. I contacted the help desk and they suggested this was an issue with iOS … yet it wasn’t there prior to the login function. They’ve offered no timeline for a fix and suggested I check every 24 hours. I previously used this app most days at work!
2022-12-13
Not compatible with iPhone anymore
Used to use all the time. Now no longer able to
2022-12-10
Can’t login
I’m a Nurse and used this app every shift. Now it’s useless. I try to log in and it’s saying that can’t reach server missing token access??? I even tried to register with a different email and still the same. Deleted app and installed again and no different. Such a shame. Now I need lose time searching on the book if I can find one.
2022-12-10
Totally locked out
Latest app update prevents login. So sad, this was such a great resource for HCP’s.
2022-11-30
Ruined, useless
You can’t use the app without an account and also a data connection. Who thought that was a good idea?!
Also, the UI is a mess, the login screen looks like an intern “designed” it, and then built it in five minutes using web technology and a sub-standard logo image.
2022-11-15
An account for what exactly
No one wants an account. Now people can’t use the app either. All buggy and doesn’t load 🙄
2022-11-12
Broken app with ios 16
The app does not function at all since the lates ios. Tech support said they have no idea when it will be fixed due to apple.
2022-10-28
APP BROKEN
Since you changed the app forcing us to sign up, it hasn’t worked! Can’t even sign up because it’s showing errors. Looks like ill be using the website instead. You have ruined the app. 👎👎👎
2022-10-27
Login?
Why on earth? Would love to see your GDPR justification for that…
2022-10-13
Update
I shouldn't need to sign up to access the directory
2022-09-19
Log in function broken
Cannot login regardless of resetting password, reinstalling app and creating new accounts. Getting “Can’t connect to the server: The following required parameters for the identity service we’re missing: access token” every single time. Emailed BNF months ago but still no fix.
2022-09-14
Why break a functional app?
The new sign in “feature” makes the app unacceptably slow to initialise especially in clinical scenarios where time is of the essence. It often forgets you’re logged in and this causes frustrating delays. Requiring internet connection to use the app (or at least regularly log in) is also vexing given the number of older hospitals with poor connectivity.
2022-09-09
Disgusting
Demanding an account/log in for the BNF???? Absolutely no reason for this
2022-09-08
Useless update, impractical and obstructive
I don’t know what survey they did to think registration would help the app but as a professional this is obstructive and completely useless, the point of this is to have it be a tool to aid me in my work not personalise my experience. Think before you implement useless registrations. If I could give 0 stars I would
2022-09-05
It needs login.
Why?
2022-09-03
Why do you need an account???
For what possible reason do you now need an account to use an app to look for information. It’s like needing an account to look up info on Wikipedia, or to just do a basic internet search.
Forcing data mining is not right, especially when people are using this app for patient care.
2022-08-17
Accessing via iPad now terrible
Doesn’t display properly on iPad with only log in option on screen when in portrait mode. No ability to click on or see the ‘skip for now’ option. When in landscape mode Home Screen unusable.
Don’t like that you are asked for log in and account now. If this was a book on the ward I would just pick it up…too important to be restricted access.
2022-08-03
App closes every time you leave it.
App closes every time you close it making it very hard to use. Using the website is now more useful on your phone rather than the app :(. Has months to fix this and they haven’t done so yet. Makes work a lot harder and slower
2022-07-28
Not so great after update
Search and pages reset after going to multitasking window on iphone meaning you constantly have to re-search for a drug if jumping between apps like calculator
2022-07-11
Unreliable
New version of this app requires data connection to work. Hospital buildings, wards etc are known to have poor mobile signals rendering this app almost unusable at patients’ bedside. Please consider improving app’s offline capability and also improve its memory usage as it reloads everytime when launched. This is a critical tool for a lot of clinicians and perhaps data connection is required to authenticate user - but implement this in a way that does not compromise the clinicians’ workflow which directly impacts on patient care.
2022-07-06
New update worse
Usually very useful, but new update requiring login has resulted in the app clearing everything every-time you tab out of the app or even lock the screen.
Oftentimes I used to look up a med, lock my phone - and when I come to actually prescribe I have to refind it again. Its a little issue but it really makes using the app a lot worse.
2022-06-29
Got worse after the update
Since the update, the paragraphs close as soon as you lock the phone or move between apps. Wasting precious work time having to retype the name of the drug again and again. Sometimes you need to look something else up on your phone and go to your browser, but when you go back to the bnf app, it’s already kicked you out of the drug paragraph and you have to type it in again. I don’t know why was this change made, but an otherwise brilliant app is now ruined for me, hopefully that could be fixed.
2022-06-28
Newest changes are a step backwards for usability
1* review is for the latest update that’s made the app less usable - the content in the app itself is still stellar.
I use this app all the time and it WAS amazing. Ever since the new update that coincided with having to create an account (why?) ease of has been seriously negatively affected.
It used to be that if you were on a drug monograph, you could put the app in the background (eg to cross reference with other guidelines) and once you wanted to go back into the BNF it would still be on the same drug monograph. Now, as soon as you put the app in the background it “forgets” what monograph you were on and instantly takes you back to the homepage.
It means you can’t leave the app at all or it will forget where you were. It may seem minor but it takes time having to re-type the drug name again and find the piece of information/ where you were looking. Which is a shame and makes the app terribly annoying to use
Please, if possible fix this with an update.
2022-06-28
Snapping out into main page after update
Hi,
I have a recent update on the BNF app. I am using iPhone, with the latest iOS 15. I encountered a problem: I entered a page, say paracetamol dosage, and getting out of the app momentarily switching to another app,, when I tried to switch back to the BNF app, it goes back to the main page of the app.
Can you guide me if anything wrong with my installing?
Thank you.
2022-06-26
Fix it quickly please!!
Been using this in my clinical practice for at least 2 years but today I’ve found the whole app completely refreshing and going to start page if I come out of app (without closing) then rip back in. This is bonkers - I need it to stay on the page I just consulted as I’m likely dipping in and out while working on a case. Resetting every time I look at another app is profoundly unhelpful!
2022-01-30
Hard to navigate, not intuitive to use
One of the worst apps I have ever used. The search function is woeful, the information is very hard to search and it takes a lot of patience to get anything useful.
The database needs to be much easier to interrogate.
This whole app feels rushed and amateurish, as though the developers were approaching a deadline they knew they couldn’t meet so releases the unfinished app, hoping to fix it later via several “updates” intended to look like improvements.
Better to just Google the information
2021-10-27
Don’t like the new update
Backward steps with the updates, only updated as wanted the up to date monographs. Don’t like the new update, things are not as clear and easy to follow as they used to be, old side effects were as a list and much better to read among other things
2021-09-24
Great app but needs surface area calculator
Please add the body surface area tables into the app. Or make them easier to find if already on it. Some meds require it and it’s hard to find physical BNFc now on the wards.
2020-09-23
New update requires internet connection!!
When in branches where data connection is poor - the BNF app tabs under each drug will not load! The whole purpose of the app is to have all the information handy without internet connection. The old bnf app did not need data connection and showed information instantly. The new app is poor, slow and dysfunctional (where there is no data connection)
2020-08-21
More difficult to use now!
Recent update now means all side effects are listed in a paragraph, instead of a left aligned list. This is so much more difficult to understand! It was easy to run you eye down the list and see if the effect you were concerned about was listed, now you have to properly read the paragraph, much more difficult to assimilate the information. Please change this!
Also not sure why the text needed to be enlarged
2020-08-19
So much better since the update!
Great app, easy to navigate, much faster and more user friendly since update - very happy junior doc here!
2020-08-04
Really good
Only improvement needed from my experience is for it to bring up the actual drug when searching brand name like it does in the online bnf.
I.e. When you search Cialis, it should come up with Tadalafil like it does in the online bnf as this is the actual drug for the brand name Cialis
2020-02-29
Different theme colour for BNF and BNFC.
Useful app. But difficult to tell at a glance whether I am in BNF or BNFC. Is it possible to have contrasting theme colours for the adult and children sections please?
A bookmark (or star) function will also be very useful for frequently used pages.
2020-02-14
I use it a lot
Much more practical than carrying the book around. Drugs are easy to find and it has a fairly simple-to-use layout.
2020-01-27
Excellent
Informative and comprehensive compared to other apps. If you’re interested in what goes into your body via medics this is the app for you. Thank you all concerned in bringing us this app.
2019-08-01
VERY USEFUL
This app has helped me a lot especially when checking for paediatric dosages. It is a must to counter check with the BNFC prior to giving medications to children and having this in my phone has been really efficiently wonderful!
2019-07-21
Searching branded medicines
It seems that you are now unable to search reliably for branded products. It seems that you can find some and not others. For example if you search ‘Madopar’ you get nothing, same with Eldepryl. But if you type in Sinemet, then it comes up with co-careldopa. Can it not be consistent so you can search any product? When the search works it is a really quick and easy way of finding the entry for the drug and the content is easy to read and understand, really useful in practice - just wish the search worked for all.
2019-03-14
Mechanism of action details
Great app. Would be nice to know the basic mechanism of action of the drugs eg calcium channel blocker (and maybe sections on these generic drug types). This is given for only some of the drugs as a brief description under the name.
2019-01-19
👌
What a wonderful tool in the time of ever changing medicine. So handy! Knowledge literally at your finger tips, this has saved me so much time during busy on calls.
2018-12-17
An excellent app
Much better than the well-fingered, cumbersome paper copies.
It’s disappointing that it has so many bad reviews still hanging around— purely due to a transient malfunction in an update months ago. Id like to say there is no issue.
I think it functions fantastically, but I do hope that the model of the app remains the same, that is, free of charge without a subscription OR requiring an institutional login.
Thank you
2018-11-14
Excellent resource
Finally an official BNF app that is easier to navigate than the book. This is a great reference and the interaction checker is great.
To the developer, I’ve noticed the text in the interaction checker often reads Optional(“Text”) so there might be some optional unwrapping needed! :)
2018-10-12
Really helpful
Would benefit from a pronunciation section for each drug- especially helpful for students.
Would also be good if page numbers for current BNF was included to cross reference
2018-10-12
Love it!
As a pharmacist I am using the app on everyday basis and I cannot complain. Would be great on top of current content get a little bit of inspiration from apps made by Mediately which provide more tools and also look at American Medscape. Also any correlation with NICE guidelines or some interesting articles, would be nice to have everything integrated and merged within one app. But as said. Compared to paper BNF this works faster and is much more practical to use.
2018-08-16
I want more
This app is great, as a student nurse it is really helpful for learning about medications, however, I wish there was a “favourites” option that I can bookmark drugs I’ve come across before, and go home and really read up on them. At the moment I write it down on paper, that has a tendency to get lost. And hopefully I’ll be able to sort the medication list ‘A-Z’/ ‘recently added’ in favourites, that would be helpful.
2018-07-01
Attractively presented
Excellent resource, reliable and stable app. Print content reproduced with little consideration for design. Would be useful to be able to see all indications for a drug at once. BNFC could be greatly improved by allowing the child’s age or weight to be entered.
2017-11-29
Update ruined it :(
This was a great app when I first downloaded it - easy to use, accessible without wifi.
Unfortunately the latest update has meant it now no longer works at all - cannot search for a drug, cannot browse. Have had to delete it and go back to my paper copy. Come on - please test your updates better!
2017-11-02
Huge improvement!
Makes full use of the latest iOS version. Smooth and fluid. Pleasure to use.
2017-09-27
Useful, Rich and Easy to Use Resource
This is a great reference of not just drugs but also medical devices, borderline substances and wound care.
The information is presented in clear, colourful ways that makes it easy to read and quick to find. There a some great extra features too such as the custom-built drug interaction section e.g. You can select more than one drug to check compatibility rather than just scrolling through a massive list of one selected drug.
Overall a very useful, well laid out and extensive medical resource.
2017-09-25
Excellent work
Thank you, very nice easy to navigate and find a quick reference and information about drugs when with patients
2017-09-15
BNF & BNFc
App works quickly and is useful. However no easy way to scroll through all medicines for a given drug - sometimes there are 10's of products to look through until you find the one you want. No link from drug back to general information on the drug class. At least two steps to switch between BNF and BNFc. Searching by brand name brings up the generic drug monograph. You still have to scroll through the medicines to find the product you want.