The first stop for professional medicines advice

Events

Next events
Our forthcoming conferences and webinars covering a range of Medicines Optimisation issues with SPS and other great speakers and presenters.
Past Events
Search our library of past events for recordings, presentations, and interviews with speakers. All to inform your practice.

Recommended articles

Prescribing available HRT products
Hormone Replacement Therapy availability varies currently. Check for available products and keep up-to-date. Supply content is maintained regularly by DHSC.
Supply28 April 2022
The effect of bariatric surgery (gastric bypass) on certain medicines
There is some evidence on the effect of bariatric surgery (gastric bypass) on specific medicines which may inform prescribing decisions for those patients.
Gastrointestinal disorders31 March 2022
Prescribing by generic or brand name in primary care
Prescribing medicines by generic name is generally preferred but there are some circumstances when brand-name prescribing is warranted.
Primary Care and PCNs27 March 2022
Assessing if individuals with hydrocephalus shunts require antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures
Factors to consider when deciding if the risk of shunt infections due to transient bacteraemia from invasive dental procedures warrants non-routine prophylaxis.
Prescribing7 April 2022
Labelling and packaging of unlicensed medicines (Specials): best practice guidance for the NHS
National guidance from NHSE/I to reduce LASA errors and improve patient safety when considering requirements for unlicensed specials medicines
Unlicensed medicines1 March 2022
Why breastfeeding is important and how pharmacy can help
Pharmacy professionals can help ensure breastfeeding can continue whilst medicines are used. We guide on how to undertake this role.
Training and Development materials4 December 2020
Using gabapentin or pregabalin whilst breastfeeding
Gabapentin or pregabalin can be taken while breastfeeding and with infant monitoring. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants only.
Safety in Breastfeeding1 March 2022
Choosing an equivalent dose of oral benzodiazepine
Approximate equivalent doses of oral benzodiazepines to diazepam. Doses are not exact because of differences between the medicines.
Dosing25 January 2022
Top tips for pharmacy to support people with sight loss in managing their medicines
Guidance for pharmacy staff about what a person with sight loss might need from the pharmacy team to support them in using their medicines
Eyes and vision26 January 2022
Understanding transcribing for medicines administration in healthcare
Transcribing is accurately copying medication details. It requires assessment and mitigation against identified risks in different settings.
Trusts22 February 2022
How enteral feeding tubes affect medicines
A knowledge of the different types of enteral feeding tube is important when recommending options for medicines administration
Swallowing difficulties8 March 2022
Using coenzyme Q10 supplements to manage or prevent statin-induced muscle symptoms
People often buy coenzyme Q10 supplements to help with statin-induced muscle symptoms. However, there is insufficient evidence to recommend its use.
Simvastatin18 February 2022

COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments

Information and guidance specific to COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech
Resources covering pharmaceutical aspects of the vaccination programme specific to COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech
Information and guidance specific to COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna
Resources covering pharmaceutical aspects of the vaccination programme specific to COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna
Oral antivirals
Oral antivirals may reduce COVID-19 symptoms, progression, transmission, hospitalisation and mortality. We guide on successful deployment for Chief Pharmacists.
Information and guidance common across vaccines
Resources covering pharmaceutical aspects of the vaccination programme common to all COVID-19 vaccines
Information and guidance specific to COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
Resources covering pharmaceutical aspects of the vaccination programme specific to COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
Pfizer-BioNTech: Handling for Children’s Vaccination
Pharmaceutical processes for Comirnaty (10 micrograms/dose) for Children 5 to 11 years, from initial ordering through to administration for PCNs and Trusts.
Managing risks associated with the introduction of the Comirnaty vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old
Characteristics of Pfizer's Comirnaty vaccines for adults/adolescents and children differ. Teams must understand the differences to ensure safety.
Pfizer-BioNTech: Handling21 January 2022
Using COVID-19 vaccines in women of child bearing potential
Summary information concerning COVID-19 vaccination in women of child-bearing age or who are pregnant
All vaccines: Answers to Questions4 January 2021

Recommended in PGDs

Templates
National PGD templates are developed with experts for clinical specialties. They reduce duplication and variation, and improve consistency of care.
Administration of tranexamic acid by registered Paramedics and Nurses for treatment of severe haemorrhage: PGD template
A PGD template developed by SPS and supported by NASMeD and JRCALC for ambulance services commissioned by NHS England.
Tranexamic acid5 October 2021
Administration of diazepam rectal tubes by registered Paramedics and Nurses for the management of seizures: PGD template
A PGD template developed by SPS and supported by NASMeD and JRCALC for ambulance services commissioned by NHS England.
Templates5 October 2021
Administration of buccal midazolam by registered Paramedics and Nurses for the management of seizures: PGD template
A PGD template developed by SPS and supported by NASMeD and JRCALC for ambulance services commissioned by NHS England.
Templates5 October 2021
Supply of a combined oral hormonal contraceptive (COC): PGD template
A PGD template developed by SPS and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH).
Templates5 October 2021
Supply of combined hormonal contraceptive transdermal patch: PGD template
A PGD template developed by SPS and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH).
Templates5 October 2021
Supply of combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring: PGD template
A PGD template developed by SPS and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH).
Templates4 October 2021

Planning

Medicines Supply Tool
Latest information on supply issues, actions to take, alternatives to use, and expected resolution dates. Content provided by DHSC and CMU.
Annual medicines planning
Our annual Prescribing Outlook outputs support planning, implementation and budget planning for medicines every year.
New Medicines Updates
Regularly updated new medicines material, in addition to our annual outputs
Biosimilars Updates
Regularly updated biosimilars material, in addition to our annual outputs
Patent Expiry Updates
Regularly updated patent expiry material, in addition to our annual outputs

Recommended for primary care

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