Publications

Topics: Publications

We publish recommendations and resources, together with a host of other material for the benefit of our users.

Most recent

Spotlight, May 2025

A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for May 2025.

Spotlight, April 2025

A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for April 2025.

Intravenous hyoscine butylbromide

SPS PGD template for administering intravenous hyoscine butylbromide for imaging investigations by registered Radiographers.

Spotlight, March 2025

A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for March 2025.

Cytisinicline for smoking cessation

SPS PGD template for supply of cytisinicline to support smoking cessation in specified individuals.

Gadopiclenol contrast agent

SPS PGD template for administering gadopiclenol intravenously for imaging investigations and procedures by registered Radiographers.

Registration required

New Product Evaluations

A list of new product evaluations that are freely available to NHS staff.

Varenicline for smoking cessation

SPS PGD template for supply of varenicline to support smoking cessation in specified individuals.

Occupational health services explainer videos

Short videos explaining medicines mechanisms in occupational health services, including written instructions.

Medication Safety Update

A resource collating the latest medication safety communications and publications to inform, support and inspire medication safety improvements.

Articles

Health and Justice Medicines Optimisation 2025 Update

Sharing the latest developments in Health and Justice medicines optimisation and pharmacy services. 3 July 2025

Considerations for using medicines following bariatric surgery

Guidance on the physiological changes after bariatric surgery that can affect the pharmacokinetics of medicines and supplements.

Spotlight, May 2025

A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for May 2025.

Biosimilar and key generic medicines July 2025 update

An update supporting system implementation of biosimilar and key generic medicines. 9 July 2025

Time critical medicines quality improvement collaborative

We invite NHS Trusts to express an interest in joining this quality improvement collaborative

Temperature controlled storage of medicines

An SPS Quality Assurance (QA) bite size learning event on storing medicines in controlled temperatures. 25 July 2025.

Choosing a prokinetic medicine for impaired gastrointestinal motility

Prokinetics improve gastrointestinal motility. We advise on suitable prokinetic options, including dose and safety considerations.

Preparing to use golimumab biosimilar

Golimumab biosimilars are expected soon. We offer general information and implementation advice.

Articles

Health and Justice Medicines Optimisation 2025 Update

Sharing the latest developments in Health and Justice medicines optimisation and pharmacy services. 3 July 2025

Considerations for using medicines following bariatric surgery

Guidance on the physiological changes after bariatric surgery that can affect the pharmacokinetics of medicines and supplements.

Spotlight, May 2025

A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for May 2025.

Biosimilar and key generic medicines July 2025 update

An update supporting system implementation of biosimilar and key generic medicines. 9 July 2025

Time critical medicines quality improvement collaborative

We invite NHS Trusts to express an interest in joining this quality improvement collaborative

Temperature controlled storage of medicines

An SPS Quality Assurance (QA) bite size learning event on storing medicines in controlled temperatures. 25 July 2025.

Choosing a prokinetic medicine for impaired gastrointestinal motility

Prokinetics improve gastrointestinal motility. We advise on suitable prokinetic options, including dose and safety considerations.

Preparing to use golimumab biosimilar

Golimumab biosimilars are expected soon. We offer general information and implementation advice.

Articles, Bulletins

Registration required

New Product Evaluations

A list of new product evaluations that are freely available to NHS staff.

Medication Safety Update

A resource collating the latest medication safety communications and publications to inform, support and inspire medication safety improvements.

SPS Horizon Scanning

Know what medicines are in the pipeline. Understand the strategic and operational challenges for the NHS. Start planning early.

Welcoming the Web Assistant pilot

The Web Assistant will help you to answer questions about medicines in patients with swallowing difficulties.

New Medicines News

Articles, Research and audits

Patient Group Directions e-learning programme

E-learning developed by SPS in partnership with UKHSA, HEE and eLfH to support professionals who use, develop, authorise, review or update PGDs.

Northern Pharmacy Technical Services Workforce Project Report

These are the detailed and easy read summary reports of the northern pharmacy technical services (PTS) workforce project. They provide a critical analysis of the…

Auditing Patient Group Directions

SPS have developed a template audit tool to support organisations in auditing aspects of PGD development and use.

Using medicines under PGD as part of a clinical trial or study

Advice on the use of Patient Group Directions (PGDs) to supply or administer a medication which is part of a clinical trial, study or pilot

Wholesale Distribution Authorisation Audit Edition 1 August 2014 (Yellow Cover)

Pharmacy Intrathecal Chemotherapy Audit Aide Memoire 4th Edition (Yellow Cover)

This audit document is intended to be used to audit Pharmacy aspects of the safe administration of intrathecal chemotherapy, as part of the EL(97)52 Audit…

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