Events
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.
Biosimilars and key generic medicines – March 2026 update
An update about biosimilar and key generic medicines to support system planning and mobilisation.
Effectively embedding medication safety into PSIRF
Webinar exploring using Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) principles to strengthen medication safety learning and improvement.
Sustainability in aseptic services
An SPS Quality Assurance (QA) bite size learning event on sustainability in aseptic services.
New Guidance
New articles published to the website during February 2026.
Procurement
Procurement of medicines and services for NHS secondary care
An overview of procurement arrangements for medicines and pharmaceutical products and services for NHS secondary care providers in England.
Medicines Procurement and Supply Chain (MPSC) frameworks
Procurement of medicines and services is undertaken nationally in England by Medicines Procurement and Supply Chain (MPSC) frameworks.
Procurement of branded medicines within the tranche system
The Medicines Procurement and Supply Chain (MPSC) uses a tranche system for procurement of branded medicines within the same treatment area.
Regional procurement of pharmacy products and services in England
Regional procurement of several pharmacy products and services is managed by collaborative purchasing organisations (CPOs) in the NHS England.
NHS pharmacy procurement in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The devolved health administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have individual but complementary systems for procuring medicines for the NHS.
Net Zero and Social Value requirements in NHSE medicines tenders
Guidance for using the Evergreen assessment to embed Net Zero and Social Value in NHS England medicines tenders.
Injectable medicines
Assessing risks when reconstituting injectable medicines
Assess risks of error and contamination when choosing the appropriate location for aseptic manipulation of injectable medicines.
Risk factors: manipulation of injectable medicines
Key factors to be considered when assessing potential patient-safety risks of aseptic manipulation of injections.
Mitigating the risks of manipulating injectable medicines
Identified patient-safety risks associated with manipulation must be mitigated as far as reasonably possible.
ATMPs
Advanced therapy medicinal products
All our resources and guidance to support the use of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) in the healthcare system.
Introduction to advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs)
ATMPs are biological medicines that use cells, genes or tissues to treat complex conditions including cancers, rare diseases and genetic disorders.
Polypharmacy
SMRs in problematic polypharmacy: case based discussions
Recordings of case-based discussions about structured medication reviews (SMRs) in problematic polypharmacy, each focussing on a different condition.
Updated Guidance
Articles updated and reviewed in February 2026.
Biosimilars
The licence and supporting evidence for aflibercept biosimilars
Aflibercept 2mg biosimilars are available for NHS use. Learn about supporting evidence and differences.
Breastfeeding
Using chloramphenicol during breastfeeding
Topical chloramphenicol can be used with caution and monitoring. Systemic chloramphenicol is not recommended. Advice applies to full term and healthy infants.
Using gabapentin or pregabalin during breastfeeding
Gabapentin or pregabalin can be used while breastfeeding with infant monitoring; gabapentin is preferred. Recommendations apply to full term, healthy infants.
Using antihistamines during breastfeeding
Cetirizine and loratadine are preferred antihistamines when breastfeeding full-term, healthy infants. Chlorphenamine is the preferred sedating antihistamine.
Other
Specific medicine switches for solid dose and liquid formulations
Certain medicines require additional monitoring and dose adjustments when switching between solid dose and liquid formulations.
Managing the risks of using effervescent tablets in children
Careful use of effervescent or soluble tablets to deliver part tablet doses for children and neonates can minimise risks of toxicity or suboptimal therapy.
Administering a medicine through an enteral feeding tube
Learn about how to give medicine through an enteral feeding tube, including water type, syringe size, and key steps for administration.
Considering fluoride and accidental ingestion of toothpaste
Understanding fluoride intake recommendations and risks of accidentally eating or swallowing toothpaste.
Publications
Posters
A collection of posters designed by SPS for healthcare professionals to print and display in the workplace.
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
Prescribing co-codamol and switching analgesics for pain relief
The supply of co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets is limited until early June 2026. Actions are being taken nationally and locally to manage the shortage.
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.