John Oliver, a Quality Assurance Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 3rd and 9th May.

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:    

Primary care discussions podcast: personalised evidence-based medicine to minimise polypharmacy

Audio of our webinar held on the 4 March 2025

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/personalised-evidence-based-medicine-to-minimise-polypharmacy/

Baclofen: informing intrathecal risk assessment.

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

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

Understanding roles and responsibilities of PGD signatories

Patient Group Direction (PGD) signatories include a doctor or dentist, pharmacist and representatives of the authorising body and the professional group.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-roles-and-responsibilities-of-pgd-signatories/

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/

Understanding when a check add value to medication processes

Understanding what a check is, the principles of an effective check and factors to consider if introducing a check to a medication process.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-when-a-check-adds-value-to-medication-processes/

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'.

Audio from our webinar held on the 4 March 2025 which featured a facilitated case-based discussion about the complexities of polypharmacy and deprescribing. This was a follow on from our first webinar, which lays the foundations of some of the deprescribing tools available. (57m02s)

Speakers:

Lelly Oboh: Older people lead, NHS SPS

Jasvir Singh Dhillon: Clinical pharmacist, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICB, & GP practices

Rakhi Aggarwal: Primary care lead, NHS SPS

John Oliver, a Quality Assurance Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 26th April and 2nd May.

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:    

Mesalazine monitoring guidance

Medicines monitoring page update

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

Choosing an antidepressant for people with coronary heart disease

Sertraline is the first-line option in people with coronary heart disease. Alternatives include fluoxetine, paroxetine and mirtazapine.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/choosing-an-antidepressant-for-people-with-coronary-heart-disease/

Considerations for artificial saliva products in dentistry

Artificial saliva products for dry mouth (xerostomia) vary in formulation. We advise on pharmaceutical considerations and prescribing or supplying in dentistry.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/considerations-for-artificial-saliva-products-in-dentistry/

Prescribing specific artificial saliva products in dentistry

There are many artificial saliva products for dry mouth (xerostomia). We summarise eligibility for dental prescribing and key pharmaceutical considerations.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-specific-artificial-saliva-products-in-dentistry/

Retaining legal mechanism documentation

Advice on the retention of all records relating to legal mechanisms, such as PSDs, PGDs, Written Instructions and National Protocols

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/retaining-legal-mechanism-documentation/

Managing PGDs following organisational change

Advice on the management of PGDs when organisations merge, cease to exist or services are transferred to a new provider to ensure safe care and good governance

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-pgds-following-organisational-change/

Developing insulin safety across a system

Strategies, signposting and initiatives to support safer use of insulin.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/developing-insulin-safety-across-a-system/

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'.

Sheetal Ladva, Senior Medicines Advice Pharmacist, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 19th and 25th April.

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:    

Using contrast agents during breastfeeding

Breastfeeding need not be withheld after commonly used amidotrizoate, barium, gadolinium or iodinated contrast agents. Applies to full term and healthy infants.

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

ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers

Medicines monitoring page update

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/ace-inhibitors-and-angiotensin-ii-receptor-blockers-monitoring/

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/

National PGD templates

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/templates/

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 5th and 11th April.

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:    

Pain treatment during pregnancy

A summary of pharmacological options commonly used to treat pain in primary care.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-opioids-for-pain-relief-during-pregnancy/

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/

Understanding polypharmacy, overprescribing and deprescribing

We explore the causes, consequences and tools to support pharmacy professionals in managing polypharmacy, overprescribing and deprescribing in practice.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-polypharmacy-overprescribing-and-deprescribing/

Accessing resources for patients on high risk medicines

A number of resources are available to support the safe use of high-risk medicines. Healthcare professionals should ensure they are available for their patients

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/accessing-resources-for-patients-on-high-risk-medicines/

New Product Evaluations (requires log in)

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

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

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'.

Madeleine Foster, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellow at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 29th March and 4th April.

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:    

Switching between morphine and other opioids in palliative care

Switching between oral morphine and other oral opioids requires care and thoughtful application of a stepped process.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/switching-between-morphine-and-other-opioids-in-palliative-care/

An example oral opioid switch from morphine to oxycodone

An example scenario to support you when switching or advising on switching between morphine and other oral opioids in cancer and palliative care.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/an-example-oral-opioid-switch-from-morphine-to-oxycodone/

Estimating dose equivalence from oral morphine to other opioids

Use our tool to obtain approximate dose equivalences of oral morphine to other oral opioids and help you calculate an estimated equivalent daily dose

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/estimating-dose-equivalence-from-oral-morphine-to-other-opioids/

Assessing the clinical impact of lactose in medicines

People with lactose intolerance may request lactose-free medicines although the amounts, when present as an excipient, are unlikely to cause symptoms in most.

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

Using potassium permanganate for skin conditions or wound care

Potassium permanganate is a chemical product. We review the evidence for using it in wound care and highlight the risk of severe harm associated with wrong use.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-potassium-permanganate-for-skin-conditions-or-wound-care/

Accessing resources for patients on high risk medicines

A number of resources are available to support the safe use of high-risk medicines. Healthcare professionals should ensure they are available for their patients

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/accessing-resources-for-patients-on-high-risk-medicines/

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'.

Sheetal Ladva, Senior Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 22nd and 28th 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:    

Supplying medicines and medical devices: advice for dental teams

Supply of medicines by dentists and dental care professionals depends on the class of medicine, legal mechanism used and requires a local governance framework.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/supplying-medicines-and-medical-devices-advice-for-dental-teams/

Developing opioid safety across a system

Strategies and signposting to support safer use of opioids for chronic, non-cancer pain.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/developing-opioid-safety-across-a-system/

Handling of COVID-19 vaccines

Our COVID-19 vaccines guidance has been revised for Spring 2025; we signpost to sources of useful information

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/handling-of-covid-19-vaccines/

Using contraception with enzyme-inducing medicines

Enzyme-inducing medicines reduce the effectiveness of certain contraceptives. Guidance on using contraception with these medicines is given.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-contraception-with-enzyme-inducing-medicines/

ACEI suggestions for adults with swallowing difficulties

A range of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) formulations are suitable for adults with swallowing difficulties

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/acei-suggestions-for-adults-with-swallowing-difficulties/

Somatic Cell Therapy Medicinal Products – Pharmacy Institutional Readiness Guidance

This document outlines key areas for focus of pharmaceutical expertise prior to an organisation implementing Somatic Cell Therapy Product.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/somatic-cell-therapy-medicinal-products-pharmacy-institutional-readiness-guidance/

SPS Spotlight Monthly Digest

A slide deck summarising SPS outputs and resources. It should be distributed to relevant healthcare professionals and their teams.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/sps-spotlight-monthly-digest/

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 Pharmacy Procurement specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 15th and 21st 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:    

Pharmacogenomics: resources to support answering questions

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/

Advanced therapy medicinal products

Advice, guidance and individual details for specific advanced therapy medicinal products.

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

Supporting people with sight loss in managing their medicines

Guidance for pharmacy staff about how to support people with sight loss in using their medicines and accessing pharmacy services.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/supporting-people-with-sight-loss-in-managing-their-medicines/

Prescribing available medicines to treat ADHD

The availability of medicines used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) varies currently. Supply content is maintained regularly by DHSC.

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-available-medicines-to-treat-adhd/

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'.

Claire Davies chats with Toby, a person living with diabetes, as to why it is essential that the voice of those with lived experience is heard and is central to any system-wide discussions about insulin safety and what is important to him to ensure his insulin therapy is safe alongside visual impairment.

Claire Davies chats to Neera Shah about the challenges and considerations with insulin safety in health and justice and secure settings.

Claire Davies – Advanced Specialist Pharmacist, SPS – Project Lead, Insulin Safety

Neera Shah - Area pharmacist, Offender Health