NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 5th and 11th September.  

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 in primary care and community pharmacy podcasts
Podcasts exploring how pharmacogenomics is supporting personalised prescribing and shaping the future of medicines optimisation in primary care.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/pharmacogenomics-in-primary-care-and-community-pharmacy-podcasts/

Prescribing Outlook 2026 - log in required
Our annual output to support managed entry and budget planning for new medicines, new indications and patent expiries in the NHS.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/annual-planning-advice-for-new-medicines-prescribing-outlook/

Choosing medicines in sulfonamide hypersensitivity
People allergic to one sulfonamide antibiotic should avoid other sulfonamide antibiotics. We advise on prescribing non-antibiotic sulfonamides in this situation
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/choosing-medicines-in-sulfonamide-hypersensitivity/

Anticoagulant suggestions for adults with swallowing difficulties
A range of oral anticoagulant formulations are suitable for adults with swallowing difficulties.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/anticoagulant-suggestions-for-adults-with-swallowing-difficulties/

Defining and understanding medication adherence
Definitions, evidence and the importance of effective consultations, with tools and interventions to facilitate medication adherence.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/defining-and-understanding-medication-adherence/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences           
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/          

Join our 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'.

Rakhi Aggarwal, Primary Care Lead from NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service, speaks to Rachel Palmer, Consultant Pharmacist, Genomic Medicine, NHS South West Genomic Medicine Service, about the use of pharmacogenomic testing in general practice. They discuss its impact on prescribing, resources to support clinical practice, and the role of pharmacy professionals as personalised prescribing becomes more widely adopted across the NHS.

Find out more about pharmacogenomics by visiting https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/pharmacogenomics-resources-to-support-answering-questions/

Rakhi Aggarwal, Primary Care Lead for NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service, speaks to Natalie Curley, Lead Pharmacist, South West London ICB, about how pharmacogenomics is shaping medicines governance. They discuss its impact on formulary decisions and treatment pathways and explore how ICBs can prepare for the future delivery of personalised medicine.

Find out more about pharmacogenomics by visiting https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/pharmacogenomics-resources-to-support-answering-questions/

Rakhi Aggarwal, Primary Care Lead from NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service, speaks to Vicky Chaplin, Senior Clinical Lead, Genomics Unit, NHS England, about about the role of genomics in community pharmacy. The discussion explores pharmacogenomic testing, personalised prescribing, direct-to-consumer genetic tests, and how community pharmacy can support patients as genomic medicine develops within the NHS.

Find out more about pharmacogenomics by visiting https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/pharmacogenomics-resources-to-support-answering-questions/

John Oliver, Quality Assurance Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 22nd August and 4th September.  

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:    

Prescribing Outlook 2026 - log in required
Our annual output to support managed entry and budget planning for new medicines, new indications and patent expiries in the NHS.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/annual-planning-advice-for-new-medicines-prescribing-outlook/

Managing medicines associated with QT interval prolongation
Guidance on patient assessment and management of medicines associated with QT interval prolongation.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-medicines-associated-with-qt-interval-prolongation/

Commonly used medicines associated with QT interval prolongation
Examples of medicines known to prolong the QT interval. Medicines are grouped by therapeutic class and are not an exhaustive list.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/commonly-used-medicines-associated-with-qt-interval-prolongation/

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

Dealing with temperature excursions video
A short video about dealing with temperature excursions in medicine storage areas
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/dealing-with-temperature-excursions-video/

Medication Safety Update – August 2026
A resource collating the latest medication safety communications and publications to inform, support and inspire medication safety improvements.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/medication-safety-update/

PPI suggestions for adults with swallowing difficulties
A range of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) formulations are suitable for adults with swallowing difficulties.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/ppi-suggestions-for-adults-with-swallowing-difficulties/

Designing and building pharmacy aseptic clean rooms
A systematic approach to planning, commissioning, building and validating pharmacy aseptic clean room suites ensures their fitness for purpose.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/designing-and-building-pharmacy-aseptic-clean-rooms/

Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences           
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/          

Join our 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'.