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)

This episode explores repeat dispensing and repeat supply as key moments to start meaningful conversations about medicines. When patients or carers order or collect prescriptions, these touchpoints create space to ask about side effects, check whether medicines are working, still wanted, and being taken as intended

We share simple conversation starters, ways to involve the whole pharmacy team, and when to signpost patients for a Structured Medication Review to reduce pill burden, improve adherence, minimise waste, and avoid efficiently dispensing medicines that are no longer needed. (9m52s)

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)

In this episode, we focus on significant changes, especially after hospital discharge or when new, uncontrolled or worsening symptoms appear. For older people, these are times when medicines often change and when adverse effects, drug interactions or prescribing cascades can easily be missed.

We discuss how simple, everyday community pharmacy conversations can uncover medicine-related problems early, how to recognise when symptoms may be drug-related, and why transitions are the ideal time to rethink, review and realign treatment with what matters most to patients as their needs change. (14m08s)

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)

In this episode, we look at returned medicines as a key moment to spot potential overprescribing. When patients or carers bring back unwanted items, Rather than simply accepting them back, it opens the door to curious, non-judgemental conversations about why medicines weren’t taken and whether they’re still needed, inappropriate or causing harm.

Through examples and simple open questions, we show how this everyday moment can reveal prescribing cascades, side effects and unmet needs—and how the whole pharmacy team can frame sensitive conversations to support safer, more appropriate prescribing. (14m52s)

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)

See Mun Wong, Digital and Quality Improvement Specialist, at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 29th November and 5th 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:  

November New Medicines News

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/New-Medicines-News-November-2025.docx#:~:text=November%20New%20Medicines%20News

Recent product launches and significant regulatory changes, perfect for staying ahead of what’s coming into practice.

Using Standardised Strengths of Unlicensed Liquid Medicines in Children

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-standardised-strengths-of-unlicensed-liquid-medicines-in-children/

A joint statement from the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacy Group (NPPG) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)

Advising on complementary products and conventional medicines

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/advising-on-complementary-products-and-conventional-medicines/

Decision making when advising on interactions with supplements and complementary, herbal and alternative products, including homeopathy, Chinese and Ayurvedic.

Prescribing available epidural infusion bags

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-available-epidural-infusion-bags/

Epidural infusion bags availability varies currently. Check for available licensed and unlicensed products to keep up to date.

Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) tablets as PrEP

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/emtricitabine-and-tenofovir-alafenamide-taf-tablets-as-prep/

SPS PGD template for the supply of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) tablets as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for the prevention of HIV infection.

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 22nd and 28th November.  

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:  

November Spotlight

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

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

Ensuring the safe use of amphotericin B injection

liposomal products and Fungizone are not interchangeable. Take action to prevent death caused by inadvertent mis-selection.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/ensuring-the-safe-use-of-amphotericin-b-injection/

The license and Supporting evidence for Golimumab biosimilar

We highlight evidence for licensed golimumab biosimilar(s) and differences between the biosimilar(s) and the reference product (Simponi).

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

Combined oral hormonal contraceptive (COC) in reproductive health

New versions of existing Reproductive health PGDs (valid from Feb/March 2026) have been published in the reproductive health section of the templates page.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/combined-oral-hormonal-contraceptive-coc-in-reproductive-health/

Malathion for scabies

SPS PGD template for supply of malathion for the treatment of scabies in specified patient groups.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/malathion-for-scabies/

Permethrin for scabies

SPS PGD template for supply of permethrin for the treatment of scabies in specified patient groups.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/permethrin-for-scabies/

Doxycycline and metronidazole for human and animal bites

SPS PGD templates for supply of doxycycline and metronidazole for the prophylaxis of human and animal bites in specified patient groups

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/doxycycline-and-metronidazole-for-human-and-animal-bites/

Co-amoxiclav for human and animal bites

SPS PGD template for supply of co-amoxiclav for the prophylaxis of human and animal bites in specified patient groups.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/co-amoxiclav-for-human-and-animal-bites/

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'.

See Mun Wong, Digital and Quality Improvement Specialist, at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 15th and 21st November.  

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:     

Medicines Governance Do Once (MGDO) programme opportunity  

Contact [email protected] for more information. Closing date for applications 30 November 2025.  

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/ 

Assessing suitability of medicines in a ketogenic diet

We advise on how to establish the carbohydrate content of a medicine and assess its suitability for a person on a medical ketogenic diet.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/assessing-suitability-of-medicines-in-a-ketogenic-diet/

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 between 8th and 14th November. 

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:    

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/

Three national PGD templates

Ulipristal acetate 30mg tablets for emergency contraception

SPS PGD template for the supply and/or administration of ulipristal acetate 30mg tablet for emergency contraception.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/ulipristal-acetate-30mg-tablets-for-emergency-contraception/

Ceftriaxone intramuscular injection for Neisseria gonorrhoeae

SPS PGD template for administering ceftriaxone injection (with lidocaine) by IM injection for treating uncomplicated Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/ceftriaxone-intramuscular-injection-for-neisseria-gonorrhoeae/

Folic acid 5mg tablets for use during pregnancy

SPS PGD template for the supply of folic acid 5mg tablets to reduce risk of neural tube defect or compensate for increased folate demand during pregnancy.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/folic-acid-5mg-tablets-for-use-during-pregnancy/

Medicines Governance Do Once (MGDO) programme opportunity 

Contact [email protected] for more information. Closing date for applications 30 November 2025. 

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'.