Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 21st and 27th March.

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:   

Parkinson’s disease medicines in swallowing difficulties

Information on administration of Parkinson’s disease medicines, including crushing tablets, to reduce the risk of missed doses in swallowing difficulties.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/parkinsons-disease-medicines-in-swallowing-difficulties/

Amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012

Sodium content in medicines can be a concern, especially for those on salt-restricted diets. Awareness is important for safe prescribing and patient management

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/assessing-the-clinical-impact-of-sodium-content-in-medicines/

Supporting lithium safety across the system

Healthcare professionals (HCP) in all settings who interact with patients prescribed lithium should be aware of safety considerations related to its use.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/supporting-lithium-safety-across-the-system/

Choosing an antidepressant for people with epilepsy

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the preferred antidepressant in people with epilepsy. We give considerations when selecting antidepressants.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-antidepressants-for-treating-depression-in-people-with-epilepsy/

Contact details

Get in touch with one of our teams to ask a question or raise an issue. Different teams can help you with different topics.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/about-sps/get-in-touch/

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'.

Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 14th and 20th March.

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:   

Managing controlled drugs for dental teams

This series of articles covers prescribing, governance, storage and record keeping, stock management and disposal of controlled drugs for dental teams.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-controlled-drugs-for-dental-teams/

Assessing the clinical impact of sodium content in medicines

Sodium content in medicines can be a concern, especially for those on salt-restricted diets. Awareness is important for safe prescribing and patient management

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/assessing-the-clinical-impact-of-sodium-content-in-medicines/

Contact details

Get in touch with one of our teams to ask a question or raise an issue. Different teams can help you with different topics.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/about-sps/get-in-touch/

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'.

Penny Daynes, associate regional pharmacy procurement specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 7th and 13th March.

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:   

Phenytoin monitoring

Updated monitoring guidance

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/phenytoin-monitoring/

Palliative care: useful resources to support clinical decisions

Suggested resources to help healthcare professionals find information on medicines in palliative care

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/palliative-care-useful-resources-to-support-clinical-decisions/

SMRs in problematic polypharmacy: case based discussions – CVD focus

Recordings of case-based discussions about structured medication reviews (SMRs) in problematic polypharmacy, each focussing on a different condition.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/smrs-in-problematic-polypharmacy-case-based-discussions/

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://www.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 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'.

Hannah Miller, Deputy Quality Assurance Pharmacist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 28th February and 6th March.

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:   

Landing page for our procurement

All our resources for NHS secondary care pharmacy procurement services https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/guidance/procurement/

Introduction of tocilizumab biosimilars

Two tocilizumab biosimilars are now available. We offer general information and implementation advice.

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

Pharmacogenomics

Suggested resources to help healthcare professionals find information to answer questions about pharmacogenomics.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/pharmacogenomics-resources-to-support-answering-questions/

Common opioids while breastfeeding

Tramadol or dihydrocodeine can be used short term while breastfeeding. Codeine should not be used. Advice applies to full term, healthy infants.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-codeine-dihydrocodeine-or-tramadol-during-breastfeeding/

Using solid dosage form antibiotics in children

Information for off-label crushing, dispersing or opening solid oral antibiotics in children when licensed suspension formulations aren’t available.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-solid-oral-dosage-form-antibiotics-in-children/

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'.

Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 21st and 27th February.

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:   

Advanced therapy medicinal products

All our resources and guidance to support the use of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) in the healthcare system.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/guidance/advanced-therapy-medicinal-products/

Medication Safety Update

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

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

Travel health: resources to support clinical decisions

Suggested resources to help healthcare professionals find information regarding medicines and travel

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/travel-health-resources-to-support-clinical-decisions/

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'.

Dav Manku Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 14th and 20th February.

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:   

Procurement of medicines and services for NHS secondary care

An overview of procurement arrangements for medicines and pharmaceutical products and services for NHS secondary care providers in England.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/procurement-of-medicines-and-services-for-nhs-secondary-care/

Spironolactone monitoring

Updated monitoring guidance.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/spironolactone-monitoring/

Specific Medicine Switches for Solid Dose and Liquid Formulations

Certain medicines require additional monitoring and dose adjustments when switching between solid dose and liquid formulations.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/specific-medicine-switches-for-solid-dose-and-liquid-formulations/

Prescribing Co-codamol and Switching Analgesics for Pain Relief

The supply of co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets is limited until early June 2026. Actions are being taken nationally and locally to manage the shortage.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-co-codamol-and-switching-analgesics-for-pain-relief/

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'.

Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 7th and 13th February.

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:     

Assessing risks when reconstituting injectable medicines 

Assess risks of error and contamination when choosing the appropriate location for aseptic manipulation of injectable medicines.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/assessing-risks-when-reconstituting-injectable-medicines/

Using chloramphenicol during breastfeeding

Topical chloramphenicol can be used with caution and monitoring. Systemic chloramphenicol is not recommended. Advice applies to full term and healthy infants.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-chloramphenicol-during-breastfeeding/

Administering medicines through an enteral feeding tube

Learn about how to give medicine through an enteral feeding tube, including water type, syringe size, and key steps for administration.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/administering-a-medicine-through-an-enteral-feeding-tube/

Managing the risks of using effervescent tablets in children 

Careful use of effervescent or soluble tablets to deliver part tablet doses for children and neonates can minimise risks of toxicity or suboptimal therapy.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-the-risks-of-using-effervescent-tablets-in-children/

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'.

Emma Kirk and Anna Bischler talk about what you can expect from attending the upcoming webinar ‘Embedding medication safety in the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF)’. The webinar will be held on Wednesday 25 March from 12.30-2pm.

Emma Kirk, Medication Safety Officer Network Lead, NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

Anna Bischler, Associate Director – Medication Safety, NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

Register for the webinar here: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/effectively-embedding-medication-safety-into-psirf/

See Mun Wong, Digital and Quality Improvement Specialist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 31st January and 6th February.  

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:  

SMRs in problematic polypharmacy

Recordings of case-based discussions about structured medication reviews (SMRs) in problematic polypharmacy, each focussing on a different condition. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/smrs-in-problematic-polypharmacy-case-based-discussions/

Polypharmacy explainer videos

These animated videos explain the 7 steps of structured medication review, using a person-centred approach to managing polypharmacy

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/polypharmacy-and-structured-medication-review-explainer-videos/

Using antihistamines during breastfeeding

Cetirizine and loratadine are preferred antihistamines when breastfeeding full-term, healthy infants. Chlorphenamine is the preferred sedating antihistamine.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-antihistamines-during-breastfeeding/

Aflibercept biosimilar update

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

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

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/

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'.

Hannah Miller, Deputy Regional Quality Assurance Pharmacist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 24th and 30th January.  

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:  

January Spotlight

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

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/spotlight-january-2026/

Medication Safety Update

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

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

Considering fluoride and accidental ingestion of toothpaste

Understanding fluoride intake recommendations and risks of accidentally eating or swallowing toothpaste.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/considering-fluoride-and-accidental-ingestion-of-toothpaste/

Carbamazepine monitoring

Updated page to include additional information related to vitamin D and bone fracture.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/carbamazepine-monitoring/

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'.