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Navigating medicine supply issues in secondary care

Event 27 November 2025Location online, via Webex, 13.00-14.00pm
Topics: Past EventsProcurementTraining and Development

Explore causes, national processes, and local strategies for effectively managing medicine supply issues in secondary care.

Contents
  1. Date
  2. Location
  3. About the event
    1. Why it’s important
    2. What was covered
  5. Speakers
    1. Non-SPS speakers
    2. SPS speakers
  7. Resources
  8. Contact us
  9. Update history

Date

27 November 2025

Location

online, via Webex, 13.00-14.00pm

About the event

This webinar was intended for secondary care pharmacy procurement teams, clinical teams involved in managing patients affected by shortages, and healthcare professionals who would like to enhance their understanding about medicine shortages and supply disruptions in secondary care. Speakers from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS Medicines Procurement Supply Chain (MPSC) and NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) explored the causes of supply disruptions, describe national processes in place for managing shortages, and outline best practices for local response. There was an opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and exchange practical strategies.

Why it’s important

Ensuring a consistent supply of medicines is a persistent challenge for NHS pharmacy procurement teams, with shortages having a significant impact on NHS services. Addressing supply disruptions is crucial for maintaining timely access to medicines for patients and enabling efficient resource allocation. Adhering to guidance from Medicine Supply Notifications (MSNs) and Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialists, and collaboration with suppliers and across the system helps teams respond effectively.

What was covered

  • Underlying causes of supply disruptions
  • National processes for managing medicine shortages, including how allocations are determined
  • Best practices for managing medicine shortages locally, including how SPS supports pharmacy procurement teams
  • An opportunity to ask questions, and to share ideas and best practice to strengthen resilience and inspire and equip the audience

Speakers

A range of speakers from SPS and other organisations ran this event.

Non-SPS speakers

Ezabella Ayele

Medicines Assurance Manager, Medicines Procurement and Supply Chain (MPSC), NHS England

Kate Mitchell

Principal Pharmacist, Medicine Supply Team, Medicines Directorate, Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC)

SPS speakers

Find out more about our SPS speakers below.

Resources

Slides from the webinar can be viewed below.

Contact us

Please contact the admin team if you have any questions.

Update history

  1. Slides added
  1. Registration block removed Changed to past event
  1. Resources section updated
  1. DHSC added to 'about the event'
  1. Minor typo amended
  1. Published

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