Spotlight, May 2025

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Topics: Monthly digest

A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for May 2025.

Events

Everything you need to know about off-contract claims

An update on recent developments within Exend+ with a focus on managing and recording off-contract claims. 4 June 2025.

Spotlight, May 2025

A digest of NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service support for professionals working in all areas of the healthcare system for May 2025.

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.

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 May 2025.

Biosimilars

Preparing to use golimumab biosimilar

Golimumab biosimilars are expected soon. We offer general information and implementation advice.

Unlicensed medicines

Unlicensed medicines podcast series

A series of podcasts about unlicensed medicines

Medication Safety

Developing insulin safety across a system

Strategies, signposting and initiatives to support safer use of insulin.

Intrathecal administration

Ziconotide: informing intrathecal risk assessment

Ziconotide products vary in their licensed status and other characteristics which affects their suitability for intrathecal administration

Other

Prescribing specific artificial saliva products in dentistry

There are many artificial saliva products for dry mouth (xerostomia). We summarise eligibility for dental prescribing and key pharmaceutical considerations.

Choosing a prokinetic medicine for impaired gastrointestinal motility

Prokinetics improve gastrointestinal motility. We advise on suitable prokinetic options, including dose and safety considerations.

Updated guidance

Articles updated for May 2025.

PGDs

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.

Intrathecal administration

Baclofen: informing intrathecal risk assessment

Baclofen products vary in their licensed status and other characteristics which affects their suitability for intrathecal administration

Clonidine: informing intrathecal risk assessment

Clonidine products vary in their licensed status and other characteristics which affects their suitability for intrathecal administration

SPS PGD template user survey

Our SPS PGD template user survey is now live. The survey link can be found on our National PGD templates page. 

National PGD templates

National PGD templates are developed with experts for clinical specialties. They reduce duplication and variation, and improve consistency of care.

Medication safety

Time critical medicines quality improvement collaborative

We invite NHS Trusts to express an interest in joining this quality improvement collaborative

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.

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