NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 10th and 16th 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:  

Job Advert – closing date 21 January 2026
Senior Medicines Advice Pharmacist (Horizon Scanning)
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9287-26-0017?keyword=medicines%20advice&language=en

Managing medicines inventory
Approaches to maintain accurate medicines inventory and investigate incorrect stock levels by secondary care pharmacy procurement teams.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-medicines-inventory/

Advising on specific medicines following bariatric surgery
Guidance to inform prescribing decisions, following the effects bariatric surgery can have on medicines.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/specific-advice-for-using-medicines-following-bariatric-surgery/

Avoid prescribing desiccated (natural) thyroid extract
Levothyroxine is the recommended treatment for hypothyroidism. Desiccated or natural thyroid extracts (DTE) should not be prescribed in primary care.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/avoid-prescribing-desiccated-natural-thyroid-extract/

Switching between gabapentin and pregabalin for neuropathic pain
An overview of possible dose equivalences, switching methods and considerations to make before switching between immediate-release gabapentinoids.
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/switching-between-gabapentin-and-pregabalin-for-neuropathic-pain/

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 3rd and 9th 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:  

New Medicines news
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/new-medicines-news/
New Medicines News is produced by the SPS Horizon Scanning Service. It highlights recent new product launches and significant medicines regulatory changes.

Assessing injectables for enteral administration
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/assessing-injectables-for-enteral-administration/
Clinical decisions on the use of injectable formulations for enteral administration should be guided by safety and practicality.

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 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'.