NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

John Oliver, one of the Quality Assurance Specialists at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 24th and 30th October.  

To easily find a list of newly published pages go to sps.nhs.uk, select ‘search’, click in the search bar, and press enter.   

Quick links to highlighted resources:    

5-alpha reductase inhibitors (benign prostate hyperplasia) monitoring

Medicines monitoring guidance published.

https://sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/5%ce%b1-reductase-inhibitors-benign-prostate-hyperplasia-monitoring/

Spotlight, October 2026

A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for October 2026.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/spotlight-october-2026/

Medication Safety Update, October 2026

A resource collating the latest medication safety communications and publications to inform, support and inspire medication safety improvements.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/medication-safety-update/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences           

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/          

Join our WhatsApp channel to stay up to date with our latest news and updates     

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBslvuJpe8aH3n7Zu1i     

Podcast description:         

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service serves healthcare professionals across the NHS who are involved in all aspects of buying, making and using medicines. Our motto is 'do once and share'.

Nicola Wake, Associate Director, Medicines Use and Safety at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 17th and 23rd October.  

To easily find a list of newly published pages go to sps.nhs.uk, select ‘search’, click in the search bar, and press enter.   

Quick links to highlighted resources:    

Prescribing Outlook 2026

The 2026 cost calculator is now available.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/annual-planning-advice-for-new-medicines-prescribing-outlook/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences           

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/          

Join our WhatsApp channel to stay up to date with our latest news and updates     

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBslvuJpe8aH3n7Zu1i     

Podcast description:         

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service serves healthcare professionals across the NHS who are involved in all aspects of buying, making and using medicines. Our motto is 'do once and share'.

To further understand why a focus on mental health medication safety is important listen to our short podcast exploring the feedback from a stakeholder engagement exercise.

Vanessa Earnshaw, Senior Specialist Pharmacist Medication Safety (NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service)

Anna Bischler, Associate Director for Medication Safety (NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service)

Find out more about our medication safety across the system resources

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/medication-safety-across-the-system-msats/

Gary Hodgson, one of the Medicines Advice Pharmacists at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 10th and 16th October.

To easily find a list of newly published pages go to sps.nhs.uk, select ‘search’, click in the search bar, and press enter.

Quick links to highlighted resources:

Prescribing Outlook 2026

The final chapters of Prescribing Outlook 2026 have now been published, covering BNF chapters 1, 4 and 5, meaning the complete spreadsheet is now available to download

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/annual-planning-advice-for-new-medicines-prescribing-outlook/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/

Join our WhatsApp channel to stay up to date with our latest news and updates

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBslvuJpe8aH3n7Zu1i

Podcast description:

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service serves healthcare professionals across the NHS who are involved in all aspects of buying, making and using medicines. Our motto is 'do once and share'.

John Oliver, a Quality Assurance Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 3rd and 9th October.  

To easily find a list of newly published pages go to sps.nhs.uk, select ‘search’, click in the search bar, and press enter.   

Quick links to highlighted resources:    

Prescribing with confidence podcast series – new episode

Rakhi Aggarwal speaks with Emma Anderson, Clincal Services Director at Evans Pharmacy, about her experience of delivering prescribing services through the NHS community pharmacy independent prescribing pathfinder programme.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-with-confidence-podcast-series/

Understanding acute CAR-T cell therapy toxicities in adults

Guidance on the management of acute side effects in adults receiving licensed CAR-T cell therapy products.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-acute-car-t-cell-therapy-toxicities-in-adults/

The licence and supporting evidence for omalizumab biosimilar

Find information on Adcomfo and Omlyclo biosimilars, including indications, formulations, supporting evidence and differences.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/the-licence-and-supporting-evidence-for-omalizumab-biosimilar/

Managing controlled drugs (CD) waste

Legislation and regulation governing the waste management of controlled drugs (CDs).

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-controlled-drugs-cd-waste/

Managing sharps contaminated with pharmaceutical waste

Classification of sharps contaminated with pharmaceutical waste and guidance on the appropriate disposal containers to use.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-sharps-contaminated-with-pharmaceutical-waste/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences           

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/          

Join our WhatsApp channel to stay up to date with our latest news and updates     

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBslvuJpe8aH3n7Zu1i     

Podcast description:         

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service serves healthcare professionals across the NHS who are involved in all aspects of buying, making and using medicines. Our motto is 'do once and share'.

Rakhi Aggarwal speaks with Emma Anderson, Clinical Services Director at Evans Pharmacy, about prescribing in community pharmacy. Emma shares her experience of delivering prescribing services through the NHS Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder programme, and offers practical advice on developing confidence and expanding scope of practice.

Penny Daynes, Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 26th September and 2nd October.  

To easily find a list of newly published pages go to sps.nhs.uk, select ‘search’, click in the search bar, and press enter.   

Quick links to highlighted resources:    

A patient-centred approach to improving medication safety

Putting patients, carers and families at the centre of medication safety is important. This article explains why, and how to do this in practice.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/a-patient-centred-approach-to-improving-medication-safety/

Medication Safety Across the System (MSATS)

Medication Safety Across The System (MSATS) is an approach to supporting the safe use of medicines through inspiring, sharing and promoting good practice.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/medication-safety-across-the-system-msats/

Medication Safety Update

A resource collating the latest medication safety communications and publications to inform, support and inspire medication safety improvements.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/medication-safety-update/

Managing the risks of using liquid oral phenobarbital

Reduce harm by minimising confusion between phenobarbital oral liquid formulations and raising awareness of ethanol content, especially in neonates and children

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-the-risks-of-using-liquid-oral-phenobarbital/

Retaining and storing pharmacy records in England

Guidance on retaining, storing and managing pharmacy records, including legal requirements, records management principles and retention advice.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/retaining-and-storing-pharmacy-records-in-england/

Spotlight – September 2026

A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for September 2026.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/spotlight-september-2026/

National PGD, protocol and written instruction templates

National templates are developed with experts for clinical specialties. They reduce duplication and variation, and improve consistency of care.

https://sps.nhs.uk/home/guidance/patient-group-directions-and-legal-mechanisms/national-pgd-protocol-and-written-instructions-templates/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences           

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/          

Join our WhatsApp channel to stay up to date with our latest news and updates     

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBslvuJpe8aH3n7Zu1i     

Podcast description:         

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service serves healthcare professionals across the NHS who are involved in all aspects of buying, making and using medicines. Our motto is 'do once and share'.

Hannah Miller, Deputy Regional Quality Assurance Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 19th and 25th September.  

To easily find a list of newly published pages go to sps.nhs.uk, select ‘search’, click in the search bar, and press enter.   

Quick links to highlighted resources:    

Prescribing Outlook 2026 - log in required

Our annual output to support managed entry and budget planning for new medicines, new indications and patent expiries in the NHS.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/annual-planning-advice-for-new-medicines-prescribing-outlook/

Adverse drug reactions: resources to support clinical decisions

Suggested resources to help healthcare professionals find information about side-effects of medicines.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/adverse-drug-reactions-resources-to-support-clinical-decisions/

Hydroxycarbamide monitoring update

Monitoring tool entry update.

https://sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/hydroxycarbamide-monitoring/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences           

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/          

Join our WhatsApp channel to stay up to date with our latest news and updates     

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBslvuJpe8aH3n7Zu1i     

Podcast description:         

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service serves healthcare professionals across the NHS who are involved in all aspects of buying, making and using medicines. Our motto is 'do once and share'.

Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 19th and 25th September.  

To easily find a list of newly published pages go to sps.nhs.uk, select ‘search’, click in the search bar, and press enter.   

Quick links to highlighted resources:    

Vacancy

Quality Assurance Technical Officer

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9287-26-1470/ats-direct-apply

Prescribing Outlook 2026 - log in required

Our annual output to support managed entry and budget planning for new medicines, new indications and patent expiries in the NHS.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/annual-planning-advice-for-new-medicines-prescribing-outlook/

Capacity planning in aseptic services

Understanding capacity is essential for ensuring patient safety, maintaining regulatory compliance, and optimising operational efficiency.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/capacity-planning-in-aseptic-services/

Webinar resources available

Slides from the Biosimilar and Key Generic Medicines September 2026 update and the Managing Outstanding Medicines Orders webinar are now available

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/biosimilar-and-key-generic-medicines-september-2026-update/

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-outstanding-medicines-orders-from-reactive-to-proactive/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences           

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/          

Join our WhatsApp channel to stay up to date with our latest news and updates     

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBslvuJpe8aH3n7Zu1i     

Podcast description:         

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service serves healthcare professionals across the NHS who are involved in all aspects of buying, making and using medicines. Our motto is 'do once and share'.

Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 5th and 11th September.  

To easily find a list of newly published pages go to sps.nhs.uk, select ‘search’, click in the search bar, and press enter.   

Quick links to highlighted resources:    

Pharmacogenomics in primary care and community pharmacy podcasts

Podcasts exploring how pharmacogenomics is supporting personalised prescribing and shaping the future of medicines optimisation in primary care.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/pharmacogenomics-in-primary-care-and-community-pharmacy-podcasts/

Prescribing Outlook 2026 - log in required

Our annual output to support managed entry and budget planning for new medicines, new indications and patent expiries in the NHS.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/annual-planning-advice-for-new-medicines-prescribing-outlook/

Choosing medicines in sulfonamide hypersensitivity

People allergic to one sulfonamide antibiotic should avoid other sulfonamide antibiotics. We advise on prescribing non-antibiotic sulfonamides in this situation

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/choosing-medicines-in-sulfonamide-hypersensitivity/

Anticoagulant suggestions for adults with swallowing difficulties

A range of oral anticoagulant formulations are suitable for adults with swallowing difficulties.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/anticoagulant-suggestions-for-adults-with-swallowing-difficulties/

Defining and understanding medication adherence

Definitions, evidence and the importance of effective consultations, with tools and interventions to facilitate medication adherence.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/defining-and-understanding-medication-adherence/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences           

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/          

Join our WhatsApp channel to stay up to date with our latest news and updates     

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBslvuJpe8aH3n7Zu1i     

Podcast description:         

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service serves healthcare professionals across the NHS who are involved in all aspects of buying, making and using medicines. Our motto is 'do once and share'.