NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

John Oliver, quality assurance specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 9th and 15th 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:    

Switching doxazosin XL tablets to doxazosin standard tablets
Doxazosin XL tablets should not routinely be prescribed. Guidance is provided on switching doxazosin XL tablets to standard release tablets.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/switching-doxazosin-xl-tablets-to-doxazosin-standard-tablets/

Children’s medicines: resources to support clinical decisions
Suggested resources to help primary care healthcare professionals find information on medicines use in children
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/childrens-medicines-resources-to-support-clinical-decisions/

Clozapine use in adults with swallowing difficulties
Guidance on clozapine administration including crushing tablets, importance of not missing doses and practical considerations regarding switching formulations
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/clozapine-use-in-adults-with-swallowing-difficulties/

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/

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 2nd and 8th 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 the safer use of insulin
Implementation of national safety standards, alerts and guidance can help reduce preventable harm from insulin use.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/embedding-the-safer-use-of-insulin/

Using transdermal patches safely in healthcare settings
Practical guidance for safe application, monitoring, removal, disposal, documentation and storage of transdermal patches to reduce risk of medication errors.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-transdermal-patches-safely-in-healthcare-settings/

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/

National PGD, protocol and written instruction templates
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'.

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'.