NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service serves healthcare professionals across the NHS who are involved in all aspects of buying, making and using medicines. Our motto...
Madeleine Foster, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellow, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 1st and 7th 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:
Aseptics Stability Tool – log in required
The aseptic stability tool is designed to help those working in NHS Pharmacy Aseptic Services. It provides a comprehensive library of stability monographs to support users to make informed decisions about the shelf life of products prepared in aseptic facilities.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/tools/stability-information-for-aseptic-services/
Cytisinicline for smoking cessation
SPS PGD template for supply of cytisinicline to support smoking cessation in specified individuals.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/cytisinicline-for-smoking-cessation/
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/
Amiodarone monitoring
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/amiodarone-monitoring/
Purchasing Specials
Factors to consider when purchasing Specials and imported unlicensed medicines from commercial manufacturers
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/purchasing-specials/
Purchasing for safety
Using principles of purchasing for safety when making purchasing decisions supports the safe clinical use of medicines and can minimise inadvertent harm
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/purchasing-for-safety/
SPS podcasts
You can access SPS podcasts wherever you normally listen to your podcasts, via the SPS website, or from the SPS SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/nhs_sps
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'.
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4:51
Swallowing difficulties (part one)
Experienced Medicines Advice pharmacists, Karoline Brennan and Daniel Hill, talk you through how to manage patients who are unable to swallow medicines. We describe a process for choosing suitable formulations, including crushing tablets.
Quick links to resources:
SPS swallowing difficulties resources
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/guidance/swallowing-difficulties/
Choosing medicines formulations in swallowing difficulties
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/choosing-medicines-formulations-in-swallowing-difficulties/
Medicines suitable for adults with swallowing difficulties
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/medicines-suitable-for-adults-with-swallowing-difficulties/
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10:06
4th February: Monthly medication safety update, safer use of insulin, and updated PGD templates
Sheetal Ladva, Senior Medicines Advice Pharmacist, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 25th and 31st 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:
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/
Understanding of transcribing for medicines administration
article has undergone a thorough content review, confirming its continued accuracy.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-transcribing-for-medicines-administration/
SPS podcasts
You can access SPS podcasts wherever you normally listen to your podcasts, via the SPS website, or from the SPS SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/nhs_sps
Medication Safety Update resource - collates all the latest medication safety communications and publications to inform, support and inspire medication safety improvements.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Medication-Safety-Update-January-2025.pdf
Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/
January Spotlight Monthly Digest - provides a summary of SPS outputs and resources.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/sps-spotlight-monthly-digest/#:~:text=January%E2%80%AFSpotlight%20Monthly%20Digest
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The text says NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service, New episode available, podcast, NHS SPS Weekly Update, 4 Feb: Monthly medication safety update, safer use of insulin, and updated PGD templates
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4:38
Swallowing difficulties (part two)
Experienced Medicines Advice pharmacists, Karoline Brennan and Daniel Hill, talk you through how to manage patients who are unable to swallow medicines. We describe a process on how to find the appropriate formulation for your patient if the medicine isn't already covered in the SPS swallowing difficulties resources.
Quick links to resources:
SPS swallowing difficulties resources
www.sps.nhs.uk/home/guidance/swa…ing-difficulties/
Checking if tablets can be crushed or capsules opened
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/checking-if-tablets-can-be-crushed-or-capsules-opened/
Checking if medicines can be given with food
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/checking-if-medicines-can-be-given-with-food/
Covert administration of medicines: legal issues
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/covert-administration-of-medicines-legal-issues/
Link for medicines for children:
https://www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/medicines
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11:36
Pharmacy First: Infected Insect Bites
Kieran Reynolds talks to Dr Stephanie Gallard and Liz Kramer about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the infected insect bites/stings service under Pharmacy First. Discussion includes how to differentiate between infected and non-infected insect bites, advice to give patients to prevent insect bites from becoming infected and how patients with insect borne diseases may present. (13m 53)
Dr Stephanie Gallard – GP with special interest in dermatology, PCDS Executive committee member
Kieran Reynolds – Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (Medicines Governance), SPS
Liz Kramer – Community Pharmacist
Useful links:
NHS Lyme disease
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/
PCDS Lyme disease
https://www.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/lyme-disease
Tick Borne Encephalitis
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tick-borne-encephalitis/
Malaria
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malaria/
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'.