Dav Manku, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist, at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 18th and 24th 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:   

Considerations and Interactions with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Signposting key risks and interactions of GLP-1 receptor agonists in diabetes, obesity, and weight management.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/considerations-and-interactions-with-glp-1-receptor-agonists/

New Product Evaluations – log in required

A list of new product evaluations that are freely available to NHS staff.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/new-product-evaluations/

National PGD template updates

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

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

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences      

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

Join our new 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 between11th and 17th 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

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

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Prescribing-Outlook-2025.xlsx#:~:text=Prescribing%20Outlook

Golimumab biosimilar

If you’re preparing to use golimumab biosimilar, we’ve added phase 2 and phase 3 checklists to our website.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Golimumab-Biosimilar-Patient-Information-Sheet-version-2-FINAL-1.docx#:~:text=golimumab%20biosimilar

PGD templates for trimethoprim and/or nitrofurantoin for UTI

Version 2 of the templates have been published. They are valid from January 2026, but we publish them a few months in advance so organisations can take them through local governance processes in a timely manner.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Nitrofurantoin-PGD-template-UTI-V2.0-1.docx#:~:text=PGD%20templates%20for%20trimethoprim%20and/or%20nitrofurantoin%20for%20UTI

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Trimethoprim-PGD-template-UTI-V2.0-1.docx#:~:text=PGD%20templates%20for%20trimethoprim%20and/or%20nitrofurantoin%20for%20UTI

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences      

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

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'.

See Mun Wong, Digital and Quality Improvement Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 4th and 10th 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:   

New SPS WhatsApp channel

Follow us to stay up to date on via your phone

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

New SPS resources posters to download and print

A collection of posters designed by SPS for healthcare professionals to print and display in the workplace.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/posters/

Inducting pharmacy procurement staff

Complete our induction document to support all levels of new staff working within NHS hospital pharmacy procurement teams.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/inducting-pharmacy-procurement-staff/

New Medicines News

New Medicines News is produced by the SPS Horizon Scanning Service. It highlights recent new product launches and significant medicines regulatory changes.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/new-medicines-news/

Medicines Advice contact page update

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/about-sps/get-in-touch/medicines-advice-contact-details/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences      

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

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 27th September and 3rd 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:   

Vancomycin: informing intrathecal risk assessment

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/vancomycin-informing-intrathecal-risk-assessment/

Vancomycin products vary in their licensed status and other characteristics which affects their suitability for intrathecal administration

Colistimethate sodium: informing intrathecal risk assessment

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/colistimethate-sodium-informing-intrathecal-risk-assessment/

Colistimethate products vary in their licensed status and other characteristics which affects their suitability for intrathecal administration

Our Medication Safety Update

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

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

Considerations for developing national PGD and protocol templates

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/considerations-for-developing-national-pgd-templates/

Decisions to develop PGD templates under the national Medicines Governance Do Once Programme depend on a variety of factors and advice on exclusions is given.

2 new PGDs have been published for trimethoprim and nitrofurantoin for UTIS

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Trimethoprim-PGD-template-UTI-V2.0.docx#:~:text=UTIs

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Nitrofurantoin-PGD-template-UTI-V2.0.docx#:~:text=UTIs

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences      

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

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'.

An ‘on the couch’ discussion on the practical implementation of biosimilar insulin in primary care, focusing on hints and tips to consider should your system be considering this, and debunking some of the myths around biosimilar insulin. (50m30s). This is the audio of a webinar that was held on the 30 September 2025.

A range of speakers from SPS and other organisations will run this event.

Carolyn Barton

Head of Medicines Management (Knowsley Place); NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

Chris Haigh

Deputy Chief Pharmacist; NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

Jole Hannan

Head of Medicines Management (Wirral Place); NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

Georgia Lane

Senior Clinical Pharmacist (Knowsley Place); NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

Rakhi Aggarwal

Primary Care Lead, NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

Nicola Wake, Associate Director, Medicines Use and Safety at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 20th and 26th 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:    

The licence and supporting evidence for aflibercept biosimilars – log in required

Aflibercept 2mg biosimilars Afqlir, Eydenzelt, Yesafili and Vgenfli are expected in December 2025 for NHS use. Learn about supporting evidence and differences.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/the-licence-and-supporting-evidence-for-aflibercept-biosimilars/

Preparing to use aflibercept 2mg biosimilar

Aflibercept 2mg biosimilars for use in ophthalmology are expected in December 2025 for NHS use. We offer general information and implementation advice.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-to-use-aflibercept-2mg-biosimilar/

Rarely used medicines – how to view them on RxInfo

A guide to support on-call staff in locating supplies of rarely used medicines out of hours.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/rarely-used-medicines-how-to-view-them-on-rxinfo/

Medicines Monitoring Tool

Updated entry for acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/tools/drug-monitoring/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences

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

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 13th and 19th 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:    

How enteral feeds affect medicines

Overview of enteral feeding tubes, medicine selection, feed interactions, administration techniques, and managing tube blockages.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/how-enteral-feeding-tubes-affect-medicines/

Preparing to use omalizumab biosimilar

Omalizumab biosimilars are expected soon. We offer general information and implementation advice.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-to-use-omalizumab-biosimilar/

New product evaluations – log in required

A list of new product evaluations that are freely available to NHS staff.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/new-product-evaluations/

SPS Vacancies:

Senior Specialist Pharmacist Medicines Advice & Medicines Use and Safety (closing date 24 September)

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9287-25-1466?keyword=pharmacist&location=Liverpool&distance=5&language=en&page=2

Senior Specialist Pharmacist, Medicines Use and Safety (closing date 24 September)

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9287-25-1470

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences

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

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 6th and 12th 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:    

Ensuring time critical use of rasburicase

Timely use of rasburicase for treatment of tumour lysis syndrome is essential. Mitigation strategies can minimise harm associated with delayed therapy.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/ensuring-time-critical-use-of-rasburicase/

Preparing to use denosumab 60mg biosimilar

Biosimilars of denosumab 60mg (Prolia) are expected soon. We offer general information and implementation advice.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-to-use-denosumab-60mg-biosimilar-for-osteoporosis/

Understanding biosimilar and generic market entry – explainer video

New medicines have several protections against competition. Other factors influence availability of biosimilars or generics after loss of exclusivity.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-biosimilar-and-generic-market-entry/

SPS Vacancies:

Senior Specialist Pharmacist Medicines Advice & Medicines Use and Safety (closing date 24 September)

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9287-25-1466?keyword=pharmacist&location=Liverpool&distance=5&language=en&page=2

Senior Specialist Pharmacist, Medicines Use and Safety (closing date 24 September)

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9287-25-1470

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences

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

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 30th August and 5th 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:    

Medicine Monitoring Tool

Update to the entry for Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/tools/drug-monitoring/

New Medicines News

New Medicines News is produced by the SPS Horizon Scanning Service. It highlights recent new product launches and significant medicines regulatory changes.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/new-medicines-news/

The licence and supporting evidence for tocilizumab biosimilar

One licensed tocilizumab biosimilar is available: Tyenne. Learn about the licensed indications, supporting evidence and key differences.

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

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences

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

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 23rd August and 29th August.

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:    

Understanding food supplements

Food supplements are manufactured and regulated differently to medicines. Understanding the differences informs safe and appropriate treatment decisions.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-food-supplements/

Using food supplements

Food supplements have a place in therapy. We explain when using a food supplement may be appropriate and how to assess the risks.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-food-supplements/

Spotlight Digest

A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for August 2025.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/spotlight-august-2025/

Prescribing available HRT products

Hormone Replacement Therapy availability varies currently. Check for available products and keep up-to-date. Supply content is maintained regularly by DHSC.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-available-hrt-products/

Prescribing and switching between modified-release methylphenidate

Modified-release methylphenidate capsules and tablets differ. Ensure patients receive appropriate treatment, particularly during periods of supply disruption.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-and-switching-between-modified-release-methylphenidate/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences

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

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'.