Recommended across the site

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist availability varies currently. Supply content is maintained regularly by DHSC.
Current supply disruption of GLP-1 receptor agonists means some patients may need to switch to insulin. Prescribers must know which insulins can be used.
Medicines may be licensed or unlicensed. Some substances that look like medicines may not be legally classed as medicines
An understanding of the different types of unlicensed medicine will help in meeting patients' special clinical needs
The decision to use an unlicensed medicine is a shared responsibility and must meet the patient's special clinical need.
Methadone is the preferred choice of treatment for opioid dependence during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants only.
Labetalol, metoprolol or propranolol are the beta-blockers of choice during breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants only.
An overview of possible dose equivalences, switching methods and considerations to make before switching between gabapentinoids in adults with neuropathic pain.
Advice and guidance to support retaining and storing records appropriately for pharmacy.
The Web Assistant will help you to answer questions about medicines in patients with swallowing difficulties.
Crushing or dispersing whole solid dosage forms or opening capsules is an "off-label" use. This includes use for Group A streptococcal infections.

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
Advice on risks related to use of small volume (less than 3mL) intramuscular (IM) injections in people on oral anticoagulants (for example, DOACs, warfarin)
An overview of the Comirnaty 30 (XBB.1.5) vaccine and signposts to other useful resources.
An example SOP for preparing Comirnaty 30 micrograms (XBB.1.5) vaccine.
An overview of the Comirnaty 3 micrograms/dose concentrate vaccine and signposts to other useful resources.
An example SOP for preparing Comirnaty 3 micrograms/dose concentrate
An overview of the Spikevax Original/Omicron BA.4-5 vaccine and signposts to other useful resources
An example SOP for preparing Spikevax Original/Omicron BA.4-5 Vaccine
An overview of the VidPrevtyn Beta vaccine and signposts to other useful resources
Support for prescribing decisions in people on interacting medicines, those with swallowing difficulties, renal impairment, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Differing models exist for the supply and administration of COVID-19 treatments. We guide through the risks and mitigations associated with each.
Deployment should address a range of factors and be implemented through different mechanisms. Collecting data and learning will support continued safe use.
An outline process and supporting materials to help Trusts deploy sotrovimab
A careful risk assessment should be done on the benefits of this off-label use to the mother, and the risks it poses to the fetus or neonate.
Tocilizumab and sarilumab can be used off-label to treat hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Breastfeeding can continue if these treatments are required.
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.