NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

Hannah Miller, Deputy Regional Quality Assurance Pharmacist, at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 20th December and 2nd 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:   December Spotlight https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/spotlight-december-2025/ A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for December 2025 The December Medication Safety Update https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/medication-safety-update/ A resource collating the latest medication safety communications and publications to inform, support and inspire medication safety improvements New Product Evaluations https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/new-product-evaluations/#:~:text=https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https://www.sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/New-Product-Evaluations-Nov-25.xlsx#:~:text=New%20Product%20Evaluations A list of new product evaluations that are freely available to NHS staff Managing pharmaceutical waste https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-pharmaceutical-waste/#:~:text=Managing%20pharmaceutical%20waste Guidance and principles for managing waste generated from the use of medicines Managing sharps contaminated with pharmaceutical waste https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-sharps-contaminated-with-pharmaceutical-waste/ Classification of sharps contaminated with pharmaceutical waste and guidance on the appropriate disposal containers to use Identifying types of pharmaceutical waste and disposal containers https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/identifying-types-of-pharmaceutical-waste-and-disposal-containers/#:~:text=Managing%20pharmaceutical%20waste Guidance on the appropriate container to use when disposing pharmaceutical waste Managing Controlled Drugs (CD) waste https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-controlled-drugs-cd-waste/#:~:text=Managing%20pharmaceutical%20waste Legislation and regulation governing the waste management of controlled drugs (CDs) Switching between pyridostigmine and neostigmine https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/switching-between-pyridostigmine-and-neostigmine/#:~:text=Switching%20between%20pyridostigmine%20and%20neostigmine Switching between pyridostigmine and neostigmine in myasthenia gravis requires care and application of a stepped process 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 13th and 19th December.   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:   Liver disease podcast series Pharmacy colleagues and expert clinical speakers talk about liver disease and drugs in liver impairment. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/liver-disease-podcast-series/ Preventing errors on the medicine journey A series of articles on preventing medicine errors arising from incorrect selection or handling during a medicine’s journey from purchasing to the patient. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preventing-errors-on-the-medicine-journey/ Defining time critical medicines A resource to support healthcare professionals in defining time critical medicines to support safety improvements. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/defining-time-critical-medicines/ Understanding time critical medicines to support improvement Understanding time critical medicines can support improvement initiatives and promote engagement. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-time-critical-medicines-to-support-improvement/ 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/ Eplerenone monograph monitoring update https://www.sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/eplerenone-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'.

Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 6th and 12th December.   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:   Five moments to tackle problematic polypharmacy podcasts In these podcasts we discuss 5 moments to tackle problematic polypharmacy, using examples from community pharmacy practice and expert advice. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/five-moments-to-tackle-problematic-polypharmacy-podcasts/ Preparing to use denosumab 60mg biosimilar Biosimilars of denosumab 60mg (Prolia) are expected soon. We offer general information and implementation advice. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-to-use-denosumab-60mg-biosimilar-for-osteoporosis/ Preparing to use denosumab 120mg biosimilar Biosimilars of denosumab 120mg (Xgeva) are expected soon. We offer general information and implementation advice. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-to-use-denosumab-120mg-biosimilar/ Dronedarone monitoring update https://www.sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/dronedarone-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'.

Kieran Reynolds talks to Fatema Jessa about liver transplant. Discussion includes what liver transplant is, why it is performed, how patients are managed post liver-transplant and the role of pharmacy professionals (both secondary and primary care) in managing these patients. Fatema Jessa - Consultant Pharmacist – Hepatology and Liver Transplant and NCL Digital Pharmacy Network at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust Kieran Reynolds - Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (Medicines Governance), SPS Useful links: The British Liver Trust’s information on Liver transplant https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/organ-transplantation/liver/living-with-a-liver-transplant/liver-transplant-medicines/%22HYPERLINK%20%22https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-transplant/ The British Liver Trust’s information on life after liver transplant https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-transplant/life-after-liver-transplant/%22%20/l%20%22Immunosuppression%20medicines The NHS Blood and Transplant’s information on liver transplantation medicines https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/organ-transplantation/liver/living-with-a-liver-transplant/liver-transplant-medicines/ SPS Drug monitoring tool https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/tools/drug-monitoring/ The Pharmaceutical Journal (PJ) article on medicines management in adult patients undergoing liver transplantation https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/ld/medicines-management-in-adult-patients-undergoing-liver-transplantation The Green Book: information on vaccines for vaccine preventable diseases  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book#the-green-book NHS Business Services Authority information on NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc

Kieran Reynolds talks to Leslie Wong, Advanced Clinical Pharmacist in Hepatology in the Eastern Liver Network and Communications Officer at the British Hepatology Pharmacy Group (BHPG) about alcohol related liver disease (ARLD). Discussion includes what ARLD is, screening tools to help identify possible alcohol misuse, treatment of ARLD; including medicines used in medically assisted alcohol withdrawal and medicines used to help support abstinence, as well as long term vitamin supplementation. Leslie Wong - Advanced Clinical Pharmacist in Hepatology in the Eastern Liver Network and Communications Officer at the BHPG Kieran Reynolds - Advanced Specialist Pharmacist (Medicines Governance), SPS Useful links: The British Liver Trust’s information on alcohol and liver disease https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/risks-and-causes/alcohol/#:~:text=Regularly%20drinking%20over%20the%20recommended%20limit%20increases%20the,their%20health.%20Alcohol%20is%20broken-down%20by%20the%20liver. The British Liver Trust’s information on alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/alcohol-related-liver-disease/ MD+CALC AUDIT-C calculator https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/2021/audit-c-alcohol-use Drinkaware’s Drinking Check https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/drinking-check/#/overview DrinkAware information on Cutting your drinking with alcohol-free or low alcohol drinks https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice-and-support/alcohol-free-drinks/cutting-your-drinking-with-alcohol-free-or-low-alcohol-drinks/ SPS article on using and prescribing thiamine in alcohol dependence https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-and-prescribing-thiamine-in-alcohol-dependence/ Regional Medicines Optimisation Committee (RMOC) position statement on oral vitamin B supplementation in alcoholism (PDF) https://www.wyicsapc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/RMOC-Position-Statement-Oral-Vitamin-B-supplementation-in-alcoholism-November-2019.pdf NICE Clinical Guideline 115 on Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking (high-risk drinking) and alcohol dependence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG115 UKHSA Alcohol structured advice tool https://khub.net/web/phe-national/public-library/-/document_library/v2WsRK3ZlEig/view_file/377334553?_com_liferay_document_library_web_portlet_DLPortlet_INSTANCE_v2WsRK3ZlEig_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fkhub.net%3A443%2Fweb%2Fphe-national%2Fpublic-library%2F-%2Fdocument_library%2Fv2WsRK3ZlEig%2Fview%2F261816192%3F_com_liferay_document_library_web_portlet_DLPortlet_INSTANCE_v2WsRK3ZlEig_redirect%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fkhub.net%253A443%252Fweb%252Fphe-national%252Fpublic-library%252F-%252Fdocument_library%252Fv2WsRK3ZlEig%252Fview%252F174103489 e-learning for healthcare Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice programme https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/alcohol/