Databases and reports
A list of online databases for you to use in your research, including the BNF and Mintel.
British National Formulary (BNF)/ British National Formulary for Children (BNFC)
BNF Publications reflect current best practice as well as legal and professional guidelines relating to the uses of medicines. Content includes guidance on the drug management of common conditions; details of medicines with special reference to their uses, cautions, contra-indications, side-effects, doses, and relative costs; and guidance on prescribing, monitoring, dispensing, and administering medicines.
There are several ways to access the BNF/BNFC:
- Access the BNF/BNFC online by registering with MedicinesComplete. You must be a UK-based individual undertaking work (or training) for the NHS to be eligible for this
- Download the free BNF/BNFC to your phone or tablet. Use the App Store for iOS devices, and Google Play for Android devices. Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully before using the mobile application. If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, you may not use the App
- Read the most recent copies of the BNF and BNFC ebooks, freely available online via the College library using your College OpenAthens password
British Standards Online
Login to get your free access to the British Standards Online (BSOL) database - a quick and easy way to check that your sunglasses, contact lenses and other eyewear meet the right standards.
The Cochrane Library
The Cochrane Library contains high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making. It includes reliable evidence from Cochrane and other systematic reviews, clinical trials, and more, and has a dedicated Eyes & Vision category.
MINTEL
To access these reports, login to the college website.
Mintel report: Optical goods retailing - UK (2020)
This report covers core goods and services sold through opticians.
Mintel report: Optical goods retailing - UK (2019)
This report covers core goods and services sold through opticians.
NHS Evidence
NHS Evidence provides access to authoritative clinical and non-clinical evidence and best practice. Here you will find systematic reviews, meta-analyses, practice guidelines, and grey literature. NHS Evidence is managed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
PROSPERO
PROSPERO is an international prospective register of systematic reviews, maintained by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York.
PubMed
PubMed gives access to Medline at the National Library of Medicine site in the US. Medline is a database of references to journal articles, dating back to 1966. It indexes over 5,400 international journals in the fields of clinical medicine and biomedical research.
Trip
Trip is a clinical search engine designed to allow users to quickly and easily find and use high-quality research evidence to support their practice and/or care. As well as research evidence, the Trip database allows users to search across other content types including images, videos, patient information leaflets, educational courses and news.
VisionCite
VisionCite (login required) is a useful supplement to PubMed, bridging the gaps in PubMed's coverage of optometric literature. Some examples of titles not indexed in PubMed, but included in VisionCite are Contact Lens Spectrum, British Journal of Visual Impairment, Review of Optometry, Optometry Today, and Optician. However, please note that there are no abstracts available. Contact the library for access details.