NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

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'.

See Mun Wong, Digital & Quality Improvement Specialist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 17th and 23rd 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:  

Aseptic services landing page
All of our resources for pharmacy aseptic teams can be found here. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/guidance/aseptic-services/

Preparing to use omalizumab biosimilar
One omalizumab biosimilar (Omlyclo) is available and other biosimilars are in development. We offer general information and implementation advice.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-to-use-omalizumab-biosimilar/

National PGD template updates
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'.

Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 10th and 16th 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:  

Job Advert – closing date 21 January 2026
Senior Medicines Advice Pharmacist (Horizon Scanning)
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9287-26-0017?keyword=medicines%20advice&language=en

Managing medicines inventory
Approaches to maintain accurate medicines inventory and investigate incorrect stock levels by secondary care pharmacy procurement teams.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-medicines-inventory/

Advising on specific medicines following bariatric surgery
Guidance to inform prescribing decisions, following the effects bariatric surgery can have on medicines.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/specific-advice-for-using-medicines-following-bariatric-surgery/

Avoid prescribing desiccated (natural) thyroid extract
Levothyroxine is the recommended treatment for hypothyroidism. Desiccated or natural thyroid extracts (DTE) should not be prescribed in primary care.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/avoid-prescribing-desiccated-natural-thyroid-extract/

Switching between gabapentin and pregabalin for neuropathic pain
An overview of possible dose equivalences, switching methods and considerations to make before switching between immediate-release gabapentinoids.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/switching-between-gabapentin-and-pregabalin-for-neuropathic-pain/

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'.