Spotlight, March 2025

Published
Topics: Monthly digest

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

Events

An update to support implementation of biosimilar and key generic medicines for aflibercept, golimumab, nilotinib and ferric carboxymaltose. 9th April 2025.
An SPS Quality Assurance (QA) bite size learning event on internal audit in aseptic services. 29th April 2025.
An update for those involved in medicines governance including managing PGDs and other medicine mechanisms in practice. 13th May 2025.
SPS will be at CPC London 2025. Visit our stand and listen to our presentations at this award winning conference. 9th and 10th May 2025.

New Guidance

New articles published to the website during March 2025.

Pharmacogenomics and gene therapy medicinal products

Pharmacogenomics: resources to support answering questions

Suggested resources to help healthcare professionals find information to answer questions about pharmacogenomics.

In-Vivo GMO Gene Therapy Medicinal Products – Pharmacy Institutional Readiness Guidance

This document outlines key areas for focus of pharmacy expertise prior to an organisation implementing In-Vivo Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Gene Therapy.

Ex-Vivo (cell based) GMO Gene Therapy Medicinal Products – Pharmacy Institutional Readiness Guidance

This document outlines key areas for focus of pharmacy expertise prior to an organisation implementing Ex-Vivo genetically modified organism (GMO) Gene Therapy.

Swallowing difficulties

‘Gliptin’ suggestions for adults with swallowing difficulties

A range of DPP-4 inhibitor ('gliptin') formulations are suitable for use in adults with swallowing difficulties

‘Flozin’ suggestions for adults with swallowing difficulties

A range of SGLT2 inhibitor ('flozin') formulations are suitable for use in adults with swallowing difficulties

Aseptic services

Preparing for audits and inspections of aseptic services

Careful planning ensures maximum benefit for both the auditee and auditor

Update guidance

Articles updated for March 2025.

Managing conditions in pregnancy

Vitamin D deficiency: treatment during pregnancy

Use oral vitamin D therapy to manage vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy. It is important to prescribe an appropriate formulation and dose.

Haemorrhoids: treatment during pregnancy

Use non-pharmacological treatment for the management of haemorrhoids during pregnancy. If insufficient use a topical haemorrhoidal preparation.

Vitamin D excipients

Choosing vitamin D products for vegetarians or vegans

This article explains how the source of vitamin D or inactive ingredients (excipients) may make some products unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans.

Choosing calcium and vitamin D products for vegetarians or vegans

This article explains how the source of vitamin D or inactive ingredients (excipients) may make some products unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans.

Other

Supporting people with sight loss in managing their medicines

Guidance for pharmacy staff about how to support people with sight loss in using their medicines and accessing pharmacy services.

Individually labelled medicines in residential custodial settings

Advice on using individually labelled medicines rather than stock medication for residential custodial settings.

Advising on missed or delayed doses of medicines

Guidance on advising people who occasionally miss a scheduled dose of a regular medicine, including information sources and advice for high-risk medicines.

Medication Safety Update

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

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