Penny Daynes, Associate regional pharmacy procurement specialist, at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 3rd and 9th 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:  

New Medicines news

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

Assessing injectables for enteral administration

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/assessing-injectables-for-enteral-administration/

Clinical decisions on the use of injectable formulations for enteral administration should be guided by safety and practicality.

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 20th December and 2nd 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:  

December Spotlight

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

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

The December 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

New Product Evaluations

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/new-product-evaluations/#:~:text=https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/New-Product-Evaluations-Nov-25.xlsx#:~:text=New%20Product%20Evaluations

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

Managing pharmaceutical waste

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-pharmaceutical-waste/#:~:text=Managing%20pharmaceutical%20waste

Guidance and principles for managing waste generated from the use of medicines

Managing sharps contaminated with pharmaceutical waste

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

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

Identifying types of pharmaceutical waste and disposal containers

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/identifying-types-of-pharmaceutical-waste-and-disposal-containers/#:~:text=Managing%20pharmaceutical%20waste

Guidance on the appropriate container to use when disposing pharmaceutical waste

Managing Controlled Drugs (CD) waste

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-controlled-drugs-cd-waste/#:~:text=Managing%20pharmaceutical%20waste

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

Switching between pyridostigmine and neostigmine

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/switching-between-pyridostigmine-and-neostigmine/#:~:text=Switching%20between%20pyridostigmine%20and%20neostigmine

Switching between pyridostigmine and neostigmine in myasthenia gravis requires care and application of a stepped process

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 13th and 19th December.  

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:  

Liver disease podcast series

Pharmacy colleagues and expert clinical speakers talk about liver disease and drugs in liver impairment.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/liver-disease-podcast-series/

Preventing errors on the medicine journey

A series of articles on preventing medicine errors arising from incorrect selection or handling during a medicine’s journey from purchasing to the patient.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preventing-errors-on-the-medicine-journey/

Defining time critical medicines

A resource to support healthcare professionals in defining time critical medicines to support safety improvements.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/defining-time-critical-medicines/

Understanding time critical medicines to support improvement

Understanding time critical medicines can support improvement initiatives and promote engagement.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-time-critical-medicines-to-support-improvement/

The licence and supporting evidence for denosumab 60mg biosimilars

Denosumab 60mg biosimilars are licensed. Learn about indications, formulations, supporting evidence and differences.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/the-licence-and-supporting-evidence-for-denosumab-60mg-biosimilars/

Eplerenone monograph monitoring update

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

Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 6th and 12th December.  

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:  

Five moments to tackle problematic polypharmacy podcasts

In these podcasts we discuss 5 moments to tackle problematic polypharmacy, using examples from community pharmacy practice and expert advice.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/five-moments-to-tackle-problematic-polypharmacy-podcasts/

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/

Preparing to use denosumab 120mg biosimilar

Biosimilars of denosumab 120mg (Xgeva) are expected soon. We offer general information and implementation advice.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-to-use-denosumab-120mg-biosimilar/

Dronedarone monitoring update

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

Kieran Reynolds talks to Fatema Jessa about liver transplant. Discussion includes what liver transplant is, why it is performed, how patients are managed post liver-transplant and the role of pharmacy professionals (both secondary and primary care) in managing these patients.

Fatema Jessa - Consultant Pharmacist – Hepatology and Liver Transplant and NCL Digital Pharmacy Network at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Kieran Reynolds - Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (Medicines Governance), SPS

Useful links:

The British Liver Trust’s information on Liver transplant

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/organ-transplantation/liver/living-with-a-liver-transplant/liver-transplant-medicines/%22HYPERLINK%20%22https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-transplant/

The British Liver Trust’s information on life after liver transplant

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-transplant/life-after-liver-transplant/%22%20/l%20%22Immunosuppression%20medicines

The NHS Blood and Transplant’s information on liver transplantation medicines

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/organ-transplantation/liver/living-with-a-liver-transplant/liver-transplant-medicines/

SPS Drug monitoring tool

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

The Pharmaceutical Journal (PJ) article on medicines management in adult patients undergoing liver transplantation

https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/ld/medicines-management-in-adult-patients-undergoing-liver-transplantation

The Green Book: information on vaccines for vaccine preventable diseases 

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book#the-green-book

NHS Business Services Authority information on NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC)

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc

Kieran Reynolds talks to Leslie Wong, Advanced Clinical Pharmacist in Hepatology in the Eastern Liver Network and Communications Officer at the British Hepatology Pharmacy Group (BHPG) about alcohol related liver disease (ARLD). Discussion includes what ARLD is, screening tools to help identify possible alcohol misuse, treatment of ARLD; including medicines used in medically assisted alcohol withdrawal and medicines used to help support abstinence, as well as long term vitamin supplementation.

Leslie Wong - Advanced Clinical Pharmacist in Hepatology in the Eastern Liver Network and Communications Officer at the BHPG

Kieran Reynolds - Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (Medicines Governance), SPS

Useful links:

The British Liver Trust’s information on alcohol and liver disease

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/risks-and-causes/alcohol/#:~:text=Regularly%20drinking%20over%20the%20recommended%20limit%20increases%20the,their%20health.%20Alcohol%20is%20broken-down%20by%20the%20liver.

The British Liver Trust’s information on alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/alcohol-related-liver-disease/

MD+CALC AUDIT-C calculator

https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/2021/audit-c-alcohol-use

Drinkaware’s Drinking Check

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/drinking-check/#/overview

DrinkAware information on Cutting your drinking with alcohol-free or low alcohol drinks

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice-and-support/alcohol-free-drinks/cutting-your-drinking-with-alcohol-free-or-low-alcohol-drinks/

SPS article on using and prescribing thiamine in alcohol dependence

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-and-prescribing-thiamine-in-alcohol-dependence/

Regional Medicines Optimisation Committee (RMOC) position statement on oral vitamin B supplementation in alcoholism (PDF)

https://www.wyicsapc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/RMOC-Position-Statement-Oral-Vitamin-B-supplementation-in-alcoholism-November-2019.pdf

NICE Clinical Guideline 115 on Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking (high-risk drinking) and alcohol dependence

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG115

UKHSA Alcohol structured advice tool

https://khub.net/web/phe-national/public-library/-/document_library/v2WsRK3ZlEig/view_file/377334553?_com_liferay_document_library_web_portlet_DLPortlet_INSTANCE_v2WsRK3ZlEig_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fkhub.net%3A443%2Fweb%2Fphe-national%2Fpublic-library%2F-%2Fdocument_library%2Fv2WsRK3ZlEig%2Fview%2F261816192%3F_com_liferay_document_library_web_portlet_DLPortlet_INSTANCE_v2WsRK3ZlEig_redirect%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fkhub.net%253A443%252Fweb%252Fphe-national%252Fpublic-library%252F-%252Fdocument_library%252Fv2WsRK3ZlEig%252Fview%252F174103489

e-learning for healthcare Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice programme

https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/alcohol/

Kieran Reynolds talks to Helen Boothman, Lead Hepatology Pharmacist and past chair of the British Hepatology Pharmacy Group (BHPG) about hepatitis C. Discussion includes what hepatitis C (hep C) is, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and the efforts ongoing to help find undiagnosed patients.

Helen Boothman - Lead Hepatology Pharmacist, St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London and previous char of the BHPG

Kieran Reynolds - Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (Medicines Governance), SPS

Useful links:

The British Liver Trust’s information on hepatitis C

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/hepatitis-c/

NHS information on free home testing for hepatitis C

https://hepctest.nhs.uk/

Kieran Reynolds talks to Helen Boothman, Lead Hepatology Pharmacist and past chair of the British Hepatology Pharmacy Group (BHPG) about hepatitis B. Discussion includes what hepatitis B (hep B) is, incidence, link with hepatitis D, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment.

Helen Boothman - Lead Hepatology Pharmacist, St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London and previous char of the BHPG

Kieran Reynolds - Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (Medicines Governance), SPS

Useful links:

The British Liver Trust’s information on how hepatitis B is passed on and who is risk

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/hepatitis-b/risk/

The British Liver Trust’s information on how to test for hepatitis B

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/hepatitis-b/hepatitis-b-tests/

NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries information on which tests can help make a diagnosis of hepatitis B

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hepatitis-b/diagnosis/how-to-test-for-hepatitis-b/

The British Liver Trust’s information on treatment for hepatitis B

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/hepatitis-b/treatment/

The Hepatitis B Foundation information on patient support groups

https://www.hepb.org/resources-and-support/online-support-groups/

The British Liver Trust’s information on patient support

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/support-for-you/

Information on Hep B Companion - a peer led hepatitis B organisation

https://www.hepbcompanion.org/

In our final episode, we explore frailty, a state of reduced resilience that makes people—particularly older adults—more vulnerable to adverse drug effects and prescribing cascades. Those living with frailty often have multiple long-term conditions, take polypharmacy, and benefit from a more personalised, “less is more” approach. (12m59s)

We discuss what frailty looks like in everyday community pharmacy encounters, which medicines to look out for, and how to identify potentially inappropriate medicines prescribed. Through practical examples, we show how to ask the right questions, focus on what matters most to patients, and collaborate with general practice to reduce overprescribing through Structured medication review referrals. We highlight why, in frailty, taking fewer medicines can reduce harm and improve outcomes.

Lelly Oboh, Consultant Pharmacist (Care of Older People) and Older People Lead (NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service)

Rakhi Aggarwal, Primary Care Lead (NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service)

Here we focus on non-adherence, which often signals that medicines may no longer be appropriate, wanted, or manageable. The reasons are multifactorial and can include side effects, motivation and beliefs, or cognitive, capacity and physical barriers.

We discuss how community pharmacy teams, through everyday interactions with patients, relatives and carers, can use curious, patient-centred questions to uncover the real causes of non-adherence and identify any additional support needed. We also explore how, alongside practical interventions such as adjusting formulations or offering compliance aids, pharmacy teams should recognise when deprescribing may be appropriate, advice and refer for a Structured Medication Review- aiming to ensure that solutions always align with the patient’s changing needs, context and priorities. (13m0s)

Lelly Oboh, Consultant Pharmacist (Care of Older People) and Older People Lead (NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service)

Rakhi Aggarwal, Primary Care Lead (NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service)