The purpose of the Northern Treatment Advisory Group (NTAG) is to advise the North East & North Cumbria ICB Medicines Subcommittee on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new and existing treatments, thereby ensuring equitable access to a clinically defined and appropriate range of treatments for the relevant patient population.

The geography of NTAG encompasses all localities and places within the North East and North Cumbria ICS.

The Northern Treatment Advisory Group has a remit to manage the North East & North Cumbria ICB formulary.

Treatments which are specifically excluded from the remit of the group:

  1. Treatments which are the responsibility of NHS England via specialised commissioning arrangements, including most cancer drugs and related treatments.

The Shared Formulary for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System can be found at: www.northeastnorthcumbriaformulary.nhs.uk

GroupMeeting dateDeadline to submit papersRoute to submit papers
NENC Clinical Effectiveness Group (CEG)Fourth Thursday of every month from January 2026Ten days prior to meetingPlease use ICB front sheet and submit by email to nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net
Northern Treatment Advisory Group (NTAG)Third Tuesday of alternate months
(Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov)
First Friday of alternate months (8 working days prior to meeting)Please use ICB front sheet and submit by email to nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net
Formulary Working GroupSecond Thursday of alternate months
(Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov)
Full new medicine/formulation applications: first Monday of alternate months (~5 weeks prior to meeting)
Other formulary related submissions: last Wednesday of alternate months (11 working days prior to meeting)
Please use submission forms available for the formulary or a NENC ICB front sheet, as applicable.
Submit by email to nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net
Clinical Guidelines & Pathways GroupFirst Tuesday of alternate months
(Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov)
Third Friday of alternate months (8 working days prior to meeting)Submit by email to nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net
Medicines Safety GroupFourth Thursday of alternate months
(Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov)
Seven days prior to meetingSubmit by email to nuth.nyrdtc.rxsupp@nhs.net

See also: NENC Standard Governance Process for Formulary Applications and Amendments and NENC Standard Governance Process for Medicines Related Guidelines and Shared Care Guidelines, which are both available here.