NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

Dav Manku, one of the Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialists at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 31st October and 6th November.  

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:    

National PGD, protocol and written instructions templates
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'.

John Oliver, one of the Quality Assurance Specialists at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 24th and 30th October.  

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:    

5-alpha reductase inhibitors (benign prostate hyperplasia) monitoring
Medicines monitoring guidance published.
https://sps.nhs.uk/monitorings/5%ce%b1-reductase-inhibitors-benign-prostate-hyperplasia-monitoring/

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

Medication Safety Update, October 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/

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'.

Nicola Wake, Associate Director, Medicines Use and Safety at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 17th and 23rd October.  

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
The 2026 cost calculator is now available.
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/annual-planning-advice-for-new-medicines-prescribing-outlook/

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'.

To further understand why a focus on mental health medication safety is important listen to our short podcast exploring the feedback from a stakeholder engagement exercise.

Vanessa Earnshaw, Senior Specialist Pharmacist Medication Safety (NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service)
Anna Bischler, Associate Director for Medication Safety (NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service)

Find out more about our medication safety across the system resources
https://sps.nhs.uk/articles/medication-safety-across-the-system-msats/

Rakhi Aggarwal speaks with Emma Anderson, Clinical Services Director at Evans Pharmacy, about prescribing in community pharmacy. Emma shares her experience of delivering prescribing services through the NHS Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder programme, and offers practical advice on developing confidence and expanding scope of practice.