NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

John Oliver, Quality Assurance Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 15th and 21st August.  



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/

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

Valproic acid and Sodium valproate monitoring
Monitoring guidance update.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/medication-safety-update/

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'.

Penny Daynes, Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 8th and 14th August.  

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/

Poisoning and toxicity: resources to support clinical decisions
Suggested resources to help healthcare professionals find information regarding medicine toxicity or overdose
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/poisoning-and-toxicity-resources-to-support-clinical-decisions/

Medication Safety Update
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/

ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers
Monitoring guidance update
https://sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/ace-inhibitors-and-angiotensin-ii-receptor-blockers-monitoring/

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'.

Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 1st and 7th August.

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

Nitrofurantoin monitoring
Additional information has been added to the abnormal results section. https://sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/nitrofurantoin-monitoring/

DOAC monitoring
DOAC monitoring resource has been fully reviewed. There are some minor changes to wording and structure, but no significant changes to the clinical content. https://sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/doacs-direct-oral-anticoagulants-monitoring/

Understanding Patient Group Directions and Integrated Care Boards
Summary of the responsibilities of ICBs in England as commissioners of NHS services using PGDs, and link to resources that provide further support and advice. https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-patient-group-directions-and-integrated-care-boards/

Tools to support medication review page
These practical tools aid medication review by identifying inappropriate medicines, guiding deprescribing, and empowering patients via shared decision making.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/tools-to-support-medication-review/

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'.

John Oliver, Quality Assurance Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 24th and 31st July.  

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

Medicine administration by registered and non-registered staff
Administration of medicines needs to be undertaken by appropriately trained healthcare staff operating under a legal governance framework
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/medicine-administration-by-registered-and-non-registered-staff/

Legal mechanisms to supply and administer medicines to individuals
The main legal mechanisms used to supply and/or administer medicines are explained and considerations suggested for the most appropriate option(s)
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/legal-mechanisms-to-supply-and-administer-medicines-to-individuals/

Reviewing medicines used in renal impairment
We advise on different areas to consider for medicines use in adults with a range of kidney disorders
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/reviewing-medicines-use-in-renal-impairment/

Governance of aseptic preparation services – log in required
A video about governance of pharmacy aseptic services.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/governance-of-aseptic-preparation-services/

Preparing to use ustekinumab biosimilar
Introducing biosimilar ustekinumab needs planning. Work with the multidisciplinary team to ensure familiarity with the area and develop an implementation plan.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-to-use-ustekinumab-biosimilar/

The licence and supporting evidence for ustekinumab biosimilars
Ustekinumab biosimilars are available for use within the NHS. Learn about indications, formulations, supporting evidence and differences.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/the-licence-and-supporting-evidence-for-ustekinumab-biosimilars/

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'.

Dav Manku, Associate Regional Procurement Pharmacy Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 18th and 24th July.  

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:    

Mental health medicines: resources to support clinical decisions
Suggested resources to help healthcare professionals find information on psychotropic and other medicines used in psychiatry
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/mental-health-medicines-resources-to-support-clinical-decisions/

Managing the risks of using liquid oral phenobarbital
Reduce harm by minimising confusion between phenobarbital oral liquid formulations and raising awareness of ethanol content, especially in neonates and children
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-the-risks-of-using-liquid-oral-phenobarbital/

National PGD, protocol and written instruction templates – updates
National templates are developed with experts for clinical specialties. They reduce duplication and variation, and improve consistency of care.
https://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 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'.