NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

5 May: Embedding medication safety, Benztropine, & Medication compliance aid stability tool guidance

Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy procurement specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 25th and 1st 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:   

Embedding medication safety improvement within an organisation
The Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) can support effective prioritisation and delivery of medication safety improvements.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/embedding-medication-safety-improvement-within-an-organisation/

Benztropine injection for acute dystonic reactions
SPS has developed this resource to support healthcare professionals in managing the discontinuation of procyclidine injection.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/benztropine-injection-for-acute-dystonic-reactions/

Using the Medicines Compliance Aid Stability Tool
Guidance to support using information in the Medicines Compliance Aid (MCA) Stability Tool
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-the-medicines-compliance-aid-stability-tool/

Spotlight, April 2026
A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for April 2026.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/spotlight-april-2026/

Gowning in pharmacy aseptic services
A short video about gowning in pharmacy aseptic services.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/gowning-in-aseptic-services/

The role of the sponsor pharmacy in clinical trials of investigational medicinal products (CTIMPs)
A full review and update in line with amendments to trials regulations.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/the-role-of-the-sponsor-pharmacy-in-clinical-trials-of-investigational-medicinal-products-ctimps/

Assessing risks when reconstituting injectable medicines
Assess risks of error and contamination when choosing the appropriate location for aseptic manipulation of injectable medicines. Updated version of the preparation risk assessment uploaded.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/assessing-risks-when-reconstituting-injectable-medicines/

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 18th and 24th 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:   

Preparing to use omalizumab biosimilar
Adcomfo, a second omalizumab biosimilar alongside Omlyclo, is now licensed. We offer general information and implementation advice.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-to-use-omalizumab-biosimilar/

The licence and supporting evidence for omalizumab biosimilar
Adcomfo, a second omalizumab biosimilar alongside Omlyclo, is now licensed. Review its indications, evidence, and main differences.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/the-licence-and-supporting-evidence-for-omalizumab-biosimilar/

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/

Managing pharmaceutical waste
Guidance and principles for managing waste generated from the use of medicines.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-pharmaceutical-waste/

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'.

John Oliver, one of the quality assurance specialists at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 11th and 17th 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:   

Contraception: resources to support clinical decisions
Suggested resources to help healthcare professionals find information on medicines for contraception and reproductive health
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/contraception-resources-to-support-answering-questions/

SMRs in problematic polypharmacy: case based discussions
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/

Shelf lives of aseptically prepared medicines in NRFit syringes
Provision of intrathecal and epidural injections in NRFit syringes may involve extrapolation of stability data from luer lock systems
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/shelf-lives-of-aseptically-prepared-medicines-in-nrfit-syringes/

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 28th March and 10th 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:   

Spotlight March 2026
A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for March 2026.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/spotlight-march-2026/

New Medicines News March 2026
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/

Example medicines to prescribe by brand name
Prescribe certain medicines by brand to ensure supply of the same product. Examples are grouped by therapeutic area. The list of products is not exhaustive.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/example-medicines-to-prescribe-by-brand-name/

Advising on medicines during breastfeeding
Most medicines can be used during breastfeeding. Risks can be reduced further by choice of therapy and infant monitoring
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/advising-on-medicines-during-breastfeeding/

Amendments to HMR 2012 supporting vaccine supply and deployment
Video outlining the April 2026 amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations (HMR) 2012 to support the supply and deployment of vaccines across the UK
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/amendments-to-hmr-2012-supporting-vaccine-supply-and-deployment/

Patient Group Directions and legal mechanisms
All our resources on Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and other legal mechanisms for the supply or administration of medicines.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/guidance/patient-group-directions-and-legal-mechanisms/

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 21st and 27th 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:   

Parkinson’s disease medicines in swallowing difficulties
Information on administration of Parkinson’s disease medicines, including crushing tablets, to reduce the risk of missed doses in swallowing difficulties.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/parkinsons-disease-medicines-in-swallowing-difficulties/

Amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012
Sodium content in medicines can be a concern, especially for those on salt-restricted diets. Awareness is important for safe prescribing and patient management
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/assessing-the-clinical-impact-of-sodium-content-in-medicines/

Supporting lithium safety across the system
Healthcare professionals (HCP) in all settings who interact with patients prescribed lithium should be aware of safety considerations related to its use.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/supporting-lithium-safety-across-the-system/

Choosing an antidepressant for people with epilepsy
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the preferred antidepressant in people with epilepsy. We give considerations when selecting antidepressants.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-antidepressants-for-treating-depression-in-people-with-epilepsy/

Contact details
Get in touch with one of our teams to ask a question or raise an issue. Different teams can help you with different topics.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/about-sps/get-in-touch/

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'.