NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

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'.

Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 11th and 17th 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:
Full list of our must recently published pages
https://sps.nhs.uk/

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'.

Hannah Miller, Deputy Regional Quality Assurance Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 4th and 10th 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:    

Understanding why temperature management is important for medicines storage
Temperature control and monitoring of storage areas to avoid temperature excursions; ensuring medicines are fit for purpose at administration to patients.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-why-temperature-management-is-important-for-medicines-storage/

Heatwaves and medicines: assessing and managing patient risk
Hot weather can affect the body’s responses to some medicines and medical devices. Identify people at risk and manage the potential impact.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/heatwaves-and-medicines-assessing-and-managing-patient-risk/

Implementing medicines frameworks
A checklist has been developed to support the NHS in implementing new frameworks for medicines.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/implementing-medicines-frameworks/

Developing direct oral anticoagulant safety across a system
Strategies and signposting to support safer use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/developing-direct-oral-anticoagulant-safety-across-a-system/

Medicines in dentistry: resources to support clinical decisions
Suggested resources to help dental teams and other healthcare professionals find information on medicines used in dentistry or which may impact dental treatment.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/medicines-in-dentistry-resources-to-support-clinical-decisions/

Using lipid lowering medicines while breastfeeding
Rosuvastatin, pravastatin and atorvastatin are preferred; simvastatin and ezetimibe can also be used. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-lipid-lowering-medicines-during-breastfeeding/

Medication safety update – June
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/

New podcast – Sustaining Improvement: One Trust's Time Critical Medicines journey
In this podcast Jenna Murray talks to specialists from Leeds Teaching Hospitals about a time critical medicines quality improvement project which has been implemented and sustained so that it is now part of every day practice.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/improving-the-safe-use-of-time-critical-medicines/

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'.