Events
Investigating deviations and establishing root causes in aseptic services
An SPS Quality Assurance (QA) bite size learning event on deviation investigation and establishing root causes in pharmacy aseptic services. 27 June 2025.
Safer use of time critical medicines
Sharing what has been learnt so far from the national safer use of time critical medicines programme, including improvement interventions. 1 July 2025.
Health and Justice Medicines Optimisation 2025 Update
Sharing the latest developments in Health and Justice medicines optimisation and pharmacy services. 3 July 2025
Biosimilar and key generic medicines July 2025 update
An update supporting system implementation of biosimilar and key generic medicines. 9 July 2025.
Temperature controlled storage of medicines
An SPS Quality Assurance (QA) bite size learning event on storing medicines in controlled temperatures. 25 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 June 2025.
Pharmacogenomics
Implementing pharmacogenomic testing for aminoglycosides
Patients with mitochondrial variants have an increased risk of deafness with amikacin, gentamicin, neomycin and tobramycin. Guidance on testing is provided.
PGDs
Doxycycline post exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP)
SPS PGD template for supply of doxycycline post exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) for the prevention of syphilis.
Administering
Preventing harm from incorrect vinca alkaloid administration
Vinca alkaloids can cause paralysis and death if given by the wrong route. Understand how to reduce the risk to patients.
Intrathecal administration
Managing an intrathecal chemotherapy service
The intrathecal route is a high-risk route of administration. There are minimum requirements for providing intrathecal chemotherapy.
Understanding risks with intrathecal administration
The intrathecal route is a high-risk route of administration. Incorrect administration of medicines unsafe for this route can result in patient death.
Choosing an injectable medicine for intrathecal administration
The intrathecal route is a high risk route of administration. It is essential to consider the properties of the medicinal product when assessing the risk
Updated guidance
Articles updated for June 2025.
Administering
Choosing between fidaxomicin options
Organisations should choose suitable fidaxomicin formulary options and mitigate risks. Several factors affect decision making.
Choosing between oral vancomycin options
Organisations should choose suitable formulary options for oral vancomycin and mitigate risks. Several factors affect decision making.
Considerations for using medicines following bariatric surgery
Guidance on the physiological changes after bariatric surgery that can affect the pharmacokinetics of medicines and supplements.
PGDs
Implementing the SPS Patient Group Direction, Written Instruction and protocol templates
SPS national templates can be implemented by organisations to improve consistency and reduce duplication of effort.
Interactions
Managing interactions with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)
Interactions with apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban or rivaroxaban can result in increased risks of a bleed or thrombosis. We advise on management options.
Greener NHS
A new banner has been added to articles cited in the RPS Greener Pharmacy Guides as key references. The banner cross-references the relevant Greener Pharmacy Guide metric, helping users quickly identify their relevance to sustainable pharmacy practice. More information can be found on our purpose and values page.
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.