Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 1st and 7th 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:

Spotlight – July 2026

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

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

Nitrofurantoin monitoring

Additional information has been added to the abnormal results section. https://sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/nitrofurantoin-monitoring/

DOAC monitoring

DOAC monitoring resource has been fully reviewed. There are some minor changes to wording and structure, but no significant changes to the clinical content. https://sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/doacs-direct-oral-anticoagulants-monitoring/

Understanding Patient Group Directions and Integrated Care Boards

Summary of the responsibilities of ICBs in England as commissioners of NHS services using PGDs, and link to resources that provide further support and advice. https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-patient-group-directions-and-integrated-care-boards/

Tools to support medication review page

These practical tools aid medication review by identifying inappropriate medicines, guiding deprescribing, and empowering patients via shared decision making.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/tools-to-support-medication-review/

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, Quality Assurance Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 24th and 31st July.  

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:    

Spotlight – July 2026

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

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

Medicine administration by registered and non-registered staff

Administration of medicines needs to be undertaken by appropriately trained healthcare staff operating under a legal governance framework

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/medicine-administration-by-registered-and-non-registered-staff/

Legal mechanisms to supply and administer medicines to individuals

The main legal mechanisms used to supply and/or administer medicines are explained and considerations suggested for the most appropriate option(s)

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/legal-mechanisms-to-supply-and-administer-medicines-to-individuals/

Reviewing medicines used in renal impairment

We advise on different areas to consider for medicines use in adults with a range of kidney disorders

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/reviewing-medicines-use-in-renal-impairment/

Governance of aseptic preparation services – log in required

A video about governance of pharmacy aseptic services.

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/governance-of-aseptic-preparation-services/

Preparing to use ustekinumab biosimilar

Introducing biosimilar ustekinumab needs planning. Work with the multidisciplinary team to ensure familiarity with the area and develop an implementation plan.

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

The licence and supporting evidence for ustekinumab biosimilars

Ustekinumab biosimilars are available for use within the NHS. Learn about indications, formulations, supporting evidence and differences.

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

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'.

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

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:    

Mental health medicines: resources to support clinical decisions

Suggested resources to help healthcare professionals find information on psychotropic and other medicines used in psychiatry

https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/mental-health-medicines-resources-to-support-clinical-decisions/

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/

National PGD, protocol and written instruction templates – updates

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'.

Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 11th and 17th July.

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:

Full list of our must recently published pages

https://sps.nhs.uk/

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 Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 4th and 10th July.  

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 why temperature management is important for medicines storage

Temperature control and monitoring of storage areas to avoid temperature excursions; ensuring medicines are fit for purpose at administration to patients.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-why-temperature-management-is-important-for-medicines-storage/

Heatwaves and medicines: assessing and managing patient risk

Hot weather can affect the body’s responses to some medicines and medical devices. Identify people at risk and manage the potential impact.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/heatwaves-and-medicines-assessing-and-managing-patient-risk/

Implementing medicines frameworks

A checklist has been developed to support the NHS in implementing new frameworks for medicines.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/implementing-medicines-frameworks/

Developing direct oral anticoagulant safety across a system

Strategies and signposting to support safer use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/developing-direct-oral-anticoagulant-safety-across-a-system/

Medicines in dentistry: resources to support clinical decisions

Suggested resources to help dental teams and other healthcare professionals find information on medicines used in dentistry or which may impact dental treatment.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/medicines-in-dentistry-resources-to-support-clinical-decisions/

Using lipid lowering medicines while breastfeeding

Rosuvastatin, pravastatin and atorvastatin are preferred; simvastatin and ezetimibe can also be used. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-lipid-lowering-medicines-during-breastfeeding/

Medication safety update – June

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/

New podcast – Sustaining Improvement: One Trust's Time Critical Medicines journey

In this podcast Jenna Murray talks to specialists from Leeds Teaching Hospitals about a time critical medicines quality improvement project which has been implemented and sustained so that it is now part of every day practice.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/improving-the-safe-use-of-time-critical-medicines/

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 26th June and 3rd July.  

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:    

Insomnia: your questions answered podcast

In this podcast Emma Bryant from SPS, speaks with Dr Rania Ward, Principal Pharmacist for Sleep Medicine, who answers some of the questions posed in the chat during our recent webinar, SMRs in problematic polypharmacy: insomnia focus

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

Spotlight – June 2026

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

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

Treating urinary disorders during breastfeeding

Oxybutynin is preferred for urinary disorders during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants only.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/treating-urinary-disorders-during-breastfeeding/

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'.

Jenna Murray talks to Ali Cracknell, Philippa Duggan-Carter and Jeremy Robson from Leeds University Hospital NHS trust in this podcast about a time critical medicines quality improvement project that has been successfully implemented and sustained, it is now part of everyday practice. Discussion includes the background to the project, how the team used what could have been a significant roadblock as catalyst for change and how the team knew that new practices had become business as usual.

Jenna Murray - Senior Specialist Pharmacy Technician Medication Safety (NHS SPS)

Ali Cracknell - Consultant in Acute and Elderly Medicine (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)

Phillipa Duggan-Carter - Lead Nurse Parkinson's Disease Specialist (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)

Jeremy Robson - Advanced Clinical Pharmacist for Neurology (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)

Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 20th and 26th June.  

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

Exploring real-world prescribing through expert insights, practical tools, and lived experiences to support prescribers in developing safe, confident practice.

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

Share your feedback on this podcast series

We would really appreciate your views, whether you’ve listened to one or multiple episodes of our Prescribing with confidence podcast series.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=VpftQ_9Bv0yVm0BqQIO3i22A1OMYp8xGqlAGgUanSedUNktDMUdNTlRTNDZaSk5DRUdMSEZaV1g0Mi4u&route=shorturl

SPS Screensavers

A collection of screensavers designed by SPS for healthcare professionals to save and use on workplace computers.

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

Managing fire risk with emollients and other skin products

Emollient residue can increase the risk of fatal burns. This article outlines how fire risk occurs, which patients may be at increased risk, and harm reduction.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-fire-risk-with-emollients-and-other-skin-products/

Prescribing and administering intravenous paracetamol safely

Guidance on safe prescribing and administration of IV paracetamol, including dosing, infusion, risk mitigation, and monitoring to prevent errors.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-intravenous-paracetamol-preparations-safely-in-paediatrics/

Influenza vaccine written instruction template for adoption

An IM influenza vaccination written instruction template is published annually for adoption by organisations providing flu vaccination to employees.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/influenza-vaccine-written-instruction-templates-for-adoption/

Minocycline monitoring

New sections have been added, including ‘requirements for treatment lasting longer than six months’, and considerations where minocycline may be ‘less suitable for prescribing’

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/minocycline-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'.

In this podcast Emma Bryant (Mental Health Lead at NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service) speaks with Dr Rania Ward, Principal Pharmacist for Sleep Medicine, who answers some of the questions posed in the chat during our recent webinar, SMRs in problematic polypharmacy: insomnia focus (14 April 2026).

00.45 - Sleep cycle and shift patterns

03.23 - Cumulative sleep

04.45 - Red flags

10.22 - Treat the underlying cause or start hypnotics

12.34 - Pharmacological options

15.07 - Melatonin

20.11 - Serious mental illness (SMI) and insomnia

22.22 - New medicines for insomnia (daridorexant)

26.46 - Non-pharmacological treatments

31.12 - More information and training

Dr Rania Ward; Principal Pharmacist for Sleep Medicine, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Emma Bryant; Mental Health Lead, Medicines Use and Safety, NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

Useful links

SMRs in problematic polypharmacy: case based discussions

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

National Sleep Pharmacy Network

https://nspn.co.uk/

RCGP Learning (Insomnia)

https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/info.php?id=824

PCPharm (Insomnia Learning Programme)

https://courses.learning.rpharms.com/product?catalog=RCP-Clinical-19

Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 13th and 19th June.  

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

Exploring real-world prescribing through expert insights, practical tools, and lived experiences to support prescribers in developing safe, confident practice.

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

Share your feedback on this podcast series

We would really appreciate your views, whether you’ve listened to one or multiple episodes of our Prescribing with confidence podcast series.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=VpftQ_9Bv0yVm0BqQIO3i22A1OMYp8xGqlAGgUanSedUNktDMUdNTlRTNDZaSk5DRUdMSEZaV1g0Mi4u&route=shorturl

Change management in aseptic services

All changes in pharmacy aseptic service units must be formally controlled, assessed and reviewed to ensure product quality and patient safety.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/change-management-in-nhs-aseptic-units/

Deviation management in NHS aseptic units

Effective deviation management helps identify, investigate, and resolve unexpected events that could affect product quality, compliance, or patient safety.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/deviation-management-in-nhs-aseptic-units/

Covert administration of medicines: legal issues

A summary of key legal issues, a pathway of actions and links to national guidance to consider before administering medicines covertly to adults.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/covert-administration-of-medicines-legal-issues/

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'.