Recommended across the site

Avoid the combined use of clopidogrel with omeprazole or esomeprazole due to a significant interaction. Other PPIs are considered safe with clopidogrel.
Our advice on switching between medicines covers switching between antidepressants as well as a range of other common medicines switches.
Medicines tools help guide practice in specific areas including medicines monitoring, medicines supply, and filling medicines compliance aids.
Crushing or dispersing whole solid dosage forms or opening capsules is an "off-label" use. This includes use for Group A streptococcal infections.
Approximate equivalent doses of oral benzodiazepines to diazepam. Doses are not exact because of differences between the medicines.
We outline the responsibilities of ICBs in England as commissioners of NHS services using PGDs, and link to resources that provide further support and advice.
Chloramphenicol eye drops that contain boron or borates (borax or boric acid) can be safely used in children under 2 years where indicated.
Rosuvastatin, pravastatin and atorvastatin are preferred; simvastatin and ezetimibe can also be used. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants.
Although no interaction between bisphosphonates and PPIs is documented, the increased risk of fractures when given together should be reviewed and managed
Some medicines (erythromycin, citalopram, ondansetron) can cause a long QT interval. Consider risk factors and follow MHRA recommendations for safe use.

Events

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

Recommended for primary care

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.
All our advice on using medicines safely and effectively in patients with swallowing difficulties
All our training and guidance to help decision making about the use of medicines in breastfeeding
All our training and guidance to help decision making about the use of medicines in pregnancy

COVID-19

Information and guidance from across SPS on pharmaceutical aspects of COVID-19 vaccines’ use
Guidance for Chief Pharmacists and supporting documents to achieve Institutional Readiness and deployment of COVID-19 Treatments
An overview of the Comirnaty Original / Omicron BA4. 4-5 vaccine and signposts to other useful resources
An example SOP for preparing Comirnaty Original / Omicron BA.4-5 vaccine
An overview of the VidPrevtyn Beta vaccine and signposts to other useful resources
An example SOP for the preparation of VidPrevtyn Beta vaccine
Resources, guidance and support to assess and improve medication safety culture, strategy and policy within the healthcare system
Practical guidance on effective collaboration opportunities to promote medication safety improvements
Effective communication allows for timely responses to new and emerging medication risks and the sharing of potential safety solutions.
Healthcare professionals responsible for medication safety in their organisation must deliver an appropriate response to safety alerts
High quality reporting and management of incidents and harms ensures opportunities for learning and improving medication safety
Practical guidance to ensure opportunities to learn from local intelligence, including patient harm are translated into shared local and national learning
Healthcare professionals delivering the medication safety agenda in their organisation require an understanding of national policy, frameworks and legislation
Effective use provides assurance that an organisation is aware of the most critical medication safety related information, and acts on this to improve safety
Increased medication incident reporting provides greater opportunities for learning and improving medication safety
Practical guidance to support those undertaking medication incident investigations

Recommended in PGDs

National PGD templates are developed with experts for clinical specialties. They reduce duplication and variation, and improve consistency of care.
A step by step guide to help organisations and individuals navigate all stages of the PGD development process
Guidance on when PGDs should not be used and advice on alternative mechanisms for supply and administration of medicines

Planning

Our annual Prescribing Outlook outputs support planning, implementation and budget planning for medicines every year.
Regularly updated material, in addition to our annual outputs. Includes specific information on ranibizumab biosimilars for ocular use.

Tools

Summarised recommendations and guidance for medicines requiring monitoring to save you time when you're making monitoring decisions with patients
Latest information on supply issues, actions to take, alternatives to use, and expected resolution dates. Content provided by DHSC and CMU.
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.