SPS - Specialist Pharmacy Service – The first stop for professional medicines advice

Recommended across the site

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis: treatment during pregnancy

Use non-pharmacological treatments for the initial management of hay fever during pregnancy. If insufficient, use topical treatments or oral antihistamines.

Preparing to use golimumab biosimilar

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

Prescribing and switching between modified-release methylphenidate

Modified-release methylphenidate capsules and tablets differ. Ensure patients receive appropriate treatment, particularly during periods of supply disruption.

Prescribing available medicines to treat ADHD

The availability of medicines used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) varies currently. Supply content is maintained regularly by DHSC.

Planning

Biosimilars

Regularly updated material to support the introduction of eculizumab, golimumab, natalizumab, ranibizumab, tocilizumab and ustekinumab biosimilars.

Annual medicines planning

Our annual Prescribing Outlook outputs support planning, implementation and budget planning for medicines every year.

Events

Health and Justice Medicines Optimisation 2025 Update

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

Biosimilar and key generic medicines July 2025 update

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

Temperature controlled storage of medicines

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

Safer use of time critical medicines

Sharing what has been learnt so far from the national safer use of time critical medicines programme, including improvement interventions. 1 July 2025.

Investigating deviations and establishing root causes in aseptic services

An SPS Quality Assurance (QA) bite size learning event on deviation investigation and establishing root causes in pharmacy aseptic services. 27 June 2025.

Tools

Medicines Supply Tool

Latest information on supply issues, actions to take, alternatives to use, and expected resolution dates. Content provided by DHSC and MVA team, NHS England.

Medicines Monitoring

Summarised recommendations and guidance for medicines requiring monitoring to save you time when you're making monitoring decisions with patients

Medicines in Compliance Aids Stability Tool

Information on stability for tablets and capsules to help create MCAs for patients. Find entries and then build and print lists specific to your MCA.

Refrigerated medicines stability tool

Advice on whether refrigerated medicines can or can’t be used after exposure to out-of-range temperatures. Find entries and build and print lists.

Stability Information for Aseptic Services

Information on drug stability to help users make an informed decision on the shelf life for products prepared within aseptic facilities.

Key Molecule Expenditure

View how your organisation is performing for a number of key molecules and compare your performance with others.

Recommended in PGDs

Delegation of roles under a PGD

Delegation of any PGD function is not permitted. However there are specific tasks that individuals other than the professional working under a PGD can fulfil.

Introduction to PGDs

Understand what a Patient Group Direction (PGD) is and how it is used in clinical practice.

When PGDs can be used

Understanding when PGDs are a suitable mechanism for the supply and/or administration of medicines ensures an appropriate legal framework for service provision.

When not to use a PGD

Understanding when PGDs are an unsuitable mechanism for the supply and/or administration of medicines ensures an alternative legal framework is applied.

P and GSL medicines with PGDs

Understanding where PGDs can and cannot be used for the supply and/or administration of P and GSL medicines helps ensure correct legal mechanisms in practice.

National PGD templates

National PGD templates are developed with experts for clinical specialties. They reduce duplication and variation, and improve consistency of care.

Primary care

Our primary care resources and tools are for all those working in the area, including GPs, practice pharmacists and community pharmacy teams.

Ask for help

If you're a healthcare professional who needs further advice, get in touch with us. You can contact us through our single email or telephone number below. Please don't share patient identifiable data with us by email.

Swallowing difficulties

All our advice on using medicines safely and effectively in patients with swallowing difficulties.

Safety in breastfeeding

All our training and guidance to help decision making about the use of medicines in breastfeeding.

Safety in pregnancy

All our training and guidance to help decision making about the use of medicines in pregnancy.

Training and Development, Primary Care

Renal and urologic disorders

Complementary medicines

Reproductive health

Palliative and End of Life Care

Paediatrics

Poisoning

Recommended in medication safety

Developing Medication Safety Across The System (MSATS)

Medication Safety Across the System (MSATS) provides resources and networking to inspire and equip individuals in promoting the safe use of medicines.

Collaboration opportunities to improve medication safety

Practical guidance on effective collaboration opportunities to promote medication safety improvements

Communication opportunities to improve medication safety

Effective communication allows for timely responses to new and emerging medication risks and the sharing of potential safety solutions.

Responding to medication safety alerts and notifications

Healthcare professionals responsible for medication safety in their organisation must deliver an appropriate response to safety alerts

Reporting and management of medication incidents and harms

High quality reporting and management of incidents and harms ensures opportunities for learning and improving medication safety

Learning from medication incidents and harms

Practical guidance to ensure opportunities to learn from local intelligence, including patient harm are translated into shared local and national learning

Understanding medication safety policy and frameworks

Healthcare professionals delivering the medication safety agenda in their organisation require an understanding of national policy, frameworks and legislation

Using the Medication Safety Update effectively

Effective use provides assurance that an organisation is aware of the most critical medication safety related information, and acts on this to improve safety

Promoting medication incident reporting

Increased medication incident reporting provides greater opportunities for learning and improving medication safety

Conducting a medication incident investigation

Practical guidance to support those undertaking medication incident investigations