Publications

Topics: Publications

We publish recommendations and resources, together with a host of other material for the benefit of our users.

Most recent

Doxycycline post exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP)

SPS PGD template for supply of doxycycline post exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) for the prevention of syphilis.

Spotlight, May 2025

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

Spotlight, April 2025

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

Intravenous hyoscine butylbromide

SPS PGD template for administering intravenous hyoscine butylbromide for imaging investigations by registered Radiographers.

Spotlight, March 2025

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

Cytisinicline for smoking cessation

SPS PGD template for supply of cytisinicline to support smoking cessation in specified individuals.

Gadopiclenol contrast agent

SPS PGD template for administering gadopiclenol intravenously for imaging investigations and procedures by registered Radiographers.

Registration required

New Product Evaluations

A list of new product evaluations that are freely available to NHS staff.

Varenicline for smoking cessation

SPS PGD template for supply of varenicline to support smoking cessation in specified individuals.

Occupational health services explainer videos

Short videos explaining medicines mechanisms in occupational health services, including written instructions.

Articles

Choosing between oral vancomycin options

Organisations should choose suitable formulary options for oral vancomycin and mitigate risks. Several factors affect decision making.

Choosing between fidaxomicin options

Organisations should choose suitable fidaxomicin formulary options and mitigate risks. Several factors affect decision making.

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.

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.

Doxycycline post exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP)

SPS PGD template for supply of doxycycline post exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) for the prevention of syphilis.

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.

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.

Articles

Choosing between oral vancomycin options

Organisations should choose suitable formulary options for oral vancomycin and mitigate risks. Several factors affect decision making.

Choosing between fidaxomicin options

Organisations should choose suitable fidaxomicin formulary options and mitigate risks. Several factors affect decision making.

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.

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.

Doxycycline post exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP)

SPS PGD template for supply of doxycycline post exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) for the prevention of syphilis.

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.

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.

Articles, Bulletins

Registration required

New Product Evaluations

A list of new product evaluations that are freely available to NHS staff.

Medication Safety Update

A resource collating the latest medication safety communications and publications to inform, support and inspire medication safety improvements.

SPS Horizon Scanning

Know what medicines are in the pipeline. Understand the strategic and operational challenges for the NHS. Start planning early.

Welcoming the Web Assistant pilot

The Web Assistant will help you to answer questions about medicines in patients with swallowing difficulties.

New Medicines News

Articles, Research and audits

Patient Group Directions e-learning programme

E-learning developed by SPS in partnership with UKHSA, HEE and eLfH to support professionals who use, develop, authorise, review or update PGDs.

Northern Pharmacy Technical Services Workforce Project Report

These are the detailed and easy read summary reports of the northern pharmacy technical services (PTS) workforce project. They provide a critical analysis of the…

Auditing Patient Group Directions

SPS have developed a template audit tool to support organisations in auditing aspects of PGD development and use.

Using medicines under PGD as part of a clinical trial or study

Advice on the use of Patient Group Directions (PGDs) to supply or administer a medication which is part of a clinical trial, study or pilot

Wholesale Distribution Authorisation Audit Edition 1 August 2014 (Yellow Cover)

Pharmacy Intrathecal Chemotherapy Audit Aide Memoire 4th Edition (Yellow Cover)

This audit document is intended to be used to audit Pharmacy aspects of the safe administration of intrathecal chemotherapy, as part of the EL(97)52 Audit…

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