Date
27 November 2025Location
online, via Webex, 13.00-14.00pmAbout the event
This webinar is 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) will explore the causes of supply disruptions, describe national processes in place for managing shortages, and outline best practices for local response. There will be 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 will be 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 will run 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.
Registration
You can now register for this event. Once registered you will receive confirmation and a link for your diary.
Note: Our webinars are provided for colleagues providing NHS services so please register with your NHS or work-based email address. If you don’t provide NHS services, please drop us a line to clarify your interest in this webinar.
Check your access before the event
Check that you are able to access WebEx prior to the event.
We recommend installing the Cisco WebEx app, or, alternatively, accessing the meeting via Google Chrome. If you are still having difficulty, you may need to contact your IT department to assist you in opening the application (you’ll only have to do this once).
Joining on the day
Listen through your computer or mobile phone.
The webinar will start promptly at 13:00 but please join at least 5 minutes earlier so you don’t miss important information.
Dial in
If you experience trouble accessing the meeting from your computer, you can always dial in and listen through your phone. Once registered, please see your event invitation or contact the event admin (details below) for further information.
Resources
This webinar will not be recorded as some information is commercially confidential and subject to change.
Contact us
Please contact the admin team if you have any questions.
Update history
- Resources section updated
- DHSC added to 'about the event'
- Minor typo amended
- Published