Events
Managing medicines inventory in hospital pharmacy
Tools and user guides for NHS Trusts to optimally manage medicines inventory.
SMRs in problematic polypharmacy: diabetes focus
Consultant pharmacists will use a case study to illustrate a patient centred approach to SMRs for patients with diabetes.
SMRs in problematic polypharmacy: cardiovascular disease focus
Consultant pharmacists will use a case study to illustrate a patient centred approach to SMRs for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Updated clinical trials regulation: implementation considerations
An SPS Quality Assurance learning event on understanding the updated clinical trials regulation and practical considerations for pharmacy clinical trials sites.
New Guidance
New articles published to the website during January 2026.
Aseptic Services
Aseptic services
All our resources for pharmacy aseptic services.
Understanding aseptic services in the NHS
Pharmacy aseptic services make ready-to-administer injectable medicines to ensure safe and timely treatment for patients.
Assuring quality in NHS aseptic services
Application of quality assurance principles ensures the safe, effective, and reliable preparation of injectable medicines by NHS pharmacy aseptic services.
Regulations for NHS aseptic services
NHS pharmacy aseptic services are tightly regulated to maintain high standards and ensure patient safety.
Introduction to aseptic manipulation of injectable medicines
Manipulation of injectable medicines is a high-risk activity. Risks and controls differ between clinical areas and pharmacy aseptic units.
Procurement
Managing medicines inventory
Approaches to maintain accurate medicines inventory and investigate incorrect stock levels by secondary care pharmacy procurement teams.
Understanding principles of medicines inventory management
Our advice to help NHS secondary care pharmacy procurement teams manage inventory of medicines.
Completing regular and annual stock checks
Emphasising the value in committing time to robust stock management processes
Reconciling stock in automated storage systems
Highlighting the importance of maintaining a closed system, monitoring and restricting access to minimise errors and discrepancies.
Monitoring slow moving stock and rarely used medicines
It is important to hold medicines in date and identify where usage of medicines has changed or are only required on an irregular basis.
Managing high value medicines
Medicines can be seen as a liability or an asset. High value medicines should have regular stock checks to ensure stock holding is accurate.
Managing stock of critical medicines
Essential medicines that must be held in stock or risk assessed for alternatives if unavailable.
Managing high frequency order lines
Advice on optimising pharmacy systems to balance storage capacity, supply and demand.
Managing expired stock and decommissioned products
Advice on how to manage expired stock and decommissioning of medicines.
Updated Guidance
Articles updated and reviewed in January 2026.
Biosimilars
Preparing to use omalizumab biosimilar
One omalizumab biosimilar (Omlyclo) is available and other biosimilars are in development. We offer general information and implementation advice.
The licence and supporting evidence for omalizumab biosimilar
One omalizumab biosimilar is currently available: Omlyco. Learn about the licensed indications, available preparations, supporting evidence and key differences.
PGDs
Patient Specific Directions (PSD)
This article describes Patient Specific Directions and the requirements for their writing and use
Understanding why PGDs cannot be used for dose adjustments
This article outlines why PGDs cannot be used to adjust the dosage of a medicine already in an individual's possession.
Using medicines at more than one location under a single PGD
A single Patient Group Direction (PGD) can be used to supply or administer medicines in more than one location. PGDs do not need to relate to specific premises.
Use of PGDs by trainee registered healthcare professionals
Advice on the use of Patient Group Directions by registered healthcare professionals who are undertaking training and/or competency assessment
Understanding roles and responsibilities of PGD signatories
Advice to support signatories of Patient Group Direction (PGD) in understanding their responsibilities when undertaking this role
Other
Avoid prescribing desiccated (natural) thyroid extract
Levothyroxine is the recommended treatment for hypothyroidism. Desiccated or natural thyroid extracts (DTE) should not be prescribed in primary care.
Switching between gabapentin and pregabalin for neuropathic pain
An overview of possible dose equivalences, switching methods and considerations to make before switching between immediate-release gabapentinoids.
Advising on specific medicines following bariatric surgery
Guidance to inform prescribing decisions, following the effects bariatric surgery can have on medicines.
Assessing injectables for enteral administration
Clinical decisions on the use of injectable formulations for enteral administration should be guided by safety and practicality.
Updated PGDs
Updated versions of the following PGDs have been published to allow organisations to undertake local governance processes in a timely manner (valid from April or May 2026)
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) IM injection for contraception
SPS PGD template for administering intramuscular (IM) medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injection for contraception.
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (SC-DMPA) injection for contraception
SPS PGD template for the supply and/or administration of subcutaneous medroxyprogesterone acetate (SC-DMPA) injection for contraception.
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.
Combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring
SPS PGD template for the supply of combined hormonal vaginal ring for contraception.
Combined hormonal contraceptive transdermal patch
SPS PGD template for the supply of combined hormonal transdermal patch for contraception.
Publications
New Medicines News
New Medicines News is produced by the SPS Horizon Scanning Service. It highlights recent new product launches and significant medicines regulatory changes.
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.