Events
Change management in pharmacy aseptic services
An SPS Quality Assurance (QA) bite size learning event on managing change in pharmacy aseptic services.
Biosimilar and key generic medicines – September 2025 update
An update about biosimilar and key generic medicines to support system mobilisation.
Spotlight, July 2025
A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for July 2025.
Spotlight, July 2025
A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for July 2025.
Past Events
Search our library of past events for recordings, presentations, and interviews with speakers, all to inform your practice.
New Guidance
New articles published to the website during July 2025.
Administering: Monoclonal Antibodies
Safe handling of monoclonal antibodies
Considerations for occupational safety when preparing monoclonal antibodies (mAb)
Risk assessment of preparation of monoclonal antibodies
A systematic approach to occupational risk assessment informs decisions about safe working practices with monoclonal antibodies (mAb)
Occupational exposure to monoclonal antibodies
Understanding potential exposure to monoclonal antibodies (mAb) informs the occupational risk assessment
Administering: Transdermal Patches
Using transdermal patches safely in healthcare settings
Practical guidance for safe application, monitoring, removal, disposal, documentation and storage of transdermal patches to reduce risk of medication errors.
Managing problems when using transdermal patches
Guidance on adhesion, skin reactions, missing, omitted or delayed application, dosing intervals, switching, accidental exposure, and MRI scan considerations.
Cutting or masking transdermal patches safely
Cutting or masking transdermal patches is discouraged. Matrix patches can be cut if no licensed alternatives are available; reservoir patches should not be cut.
Biosimilars
Preparing to use aflibercept 2mg biosimilar
Aflibercept 2mg biosimilars for use in ophthalmology are expected in December 2025 for NHS use. We offer general information and implementation advice.
Understanding biosimilar and generic market entry
New medicines have several protections against competition. Other factors influence availability of biosimilars or generics after loss of exclusivity.
Understanding patents
Patents allow the inventor a finite period of monopoly in exchange for publicising the idea. We explain how they work with respect to medicines.
Understanding data exclusivity and market protection
Data exclusivity and market protection periods prevent generic or biosimilar competition for at least 10 years after the originator medicine is licensed.
Switching
Oral benzodiazepines and choosing equivalent doses
Equivalent doses of oral benzodiazepines to diazepam are not exact. Consider these factors before switching.
Switching between aminophylline and theophylline in adults
Intravenous (IV) aminophylline is used in emergency respiratory conditions. We provide guidance on switching between oral theophylline and IV aminophylline.
Excipients
Key principles on avoiding ingredients in medicines
Spiritual, religious, cultural, and lifestyle factors can affect preferences for excipients and active ingredients in medicines. We cover key principles.
Avoiding animal contents within medicines
Our guidance on supporting patients avoiding animal products, offers you informed, patient-centred advice regarding animal containing or derived medicines.
Safety in breastfeeding
Using antipsychotics during breastfeeding
Quetiapine is the preferred second-generation, and haloperidol the preferred first-generation antipsychotic when breastfeeding full term, healthy infants.
Other
Mutual aid – understanding best practice principles
Our advice to help NHS procurement teams understand when mutual aid is appropriate and how to request this.
Updated guidance
Articles updated for July 2025.
Safety in pregnancy
The risks and principles of prescribing in pregnancy
Prescribing in pregnancy requires balancing maternal and fetal risks. This guidance outlines key risks and principles to ensure safe, informed decisions.
Information resources for advice about medicines in pregnancy
SPS and other resources can help pharmacy and other healthcare professionals provide advice on medicines in pregnancy.
Conducting a medicines risk assessment in pregnancy
The questions asked should provide information on factors that are critical to the risk assessment for each individual pregnancy.
Intrathecal administration
Hydromorphone: informing intrathecal risk assessment
Hydromorphone products vary in their licensed status and other characteristics which affects their suitability for intrathecal administration
Administering
Compatibility of nebuliser solution combinations
Guidance on what to consider when mixing nebuliser solutions and advice on which combinations are compatible.
PGDs
Influenza vaccine written instruction templates for adoption
Two influenza written instruction templates are published annually; one for NHS bodies and Local Authorities and one for independent/other providers.
Intrapartum administration of benzylpenicillin sodium
SPS PGD template for intrapartum administration of benzylpenicillin sodium for prevention of early-onset Group B Streptococcus (GBS) neonatal infection
Terbutaline injection for use in labour within maternity services
SPS PGD template for administering subcutaneous terbutaline sulfate for the reduction of contraction frequency in individuals in labour.
Combined oral hormonal contraceptive (COC) in reproductive health
SPS PGD template for the supply of a combined oral hormonal contraceptive for contraception, or for individuals requiring control of problematic bleeding.
Progestogen only pill (POP) for contraception
SPS PGD template for the supply of a progestogen only pill (POP) for contraception.
We want to hear from you
Are you a healthcare professional involved in palliative and end of life care? To guide our work, we would be grateful if you could complete a short survey. Please see the page below for further information and the survey link.
Spotlight, July 2025
A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for July 2025.
Shortages
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.