Publications

Topics: Publications

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

Most recent

SPS Spotlight Monthly Digest

A slide deck summarising SPS outputs and resources. It should be distributed to relevant healthcare professionals and their teams.

Gadopiclenol contrast agent

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

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.

Monitoring and reviewing a PGD in practice

Monitoring and evaluating practice under a PGD and timely review of a PGD are important steps in the development process.

Writing a PGD

Writing a PGD is a multi-step process, requiring input from all members of the PGD development team.

Authorising and preparing to use a PGD

Once a PGD is written, there are steps to be completed before the PGD is used within an organisation.

Planning for a PGD

You’ve decided a PGD is the most appropriate option but there are things to consider before you start writing.

Occupational health services explainer videos

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

Medication Safety Update

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

Articles

Assessing the clinical impact of lactose in medicines

People with lactose intolerance may request lactose-free medicines although the amounts, when present as an excipient, are unlikely to cause symptoms in most.

Tools to support medication review

These practical tools aid medication review by identifying inappropriate medicines, guiding deprescribing, and empowering patients via shared decision making.

A person-centred approach to polypharmacy and medication review

This article outlines how to identify, invite and apply a person-centred framework to support structured medication review.

Understanding polypharmacy, overprescribing and deprescribing

We explore the causes, consequences and tools to support pharmacy professionals in managing polypharmacy, overprescribing and deprescribing in practice.

Resources to support medication review

These resources provide information and guidance that reflects the growing understanding of problematic polypharmacy and overprescribing.

Biosimilar and key generic medicines – February 2025 update

An update about biosimilar and key generic medicines expected in 2025/26 to support implementation across the integrated care system.

SPS are going to the UKMi Conference

SPS will be attending the 50th UKMI conference, celebrating 50 years since UK Drug Information was founded. If you are going, come and see us in person.

Covert administration of medicines: legal issues

A summary of key legal issues, a pathway of actions and links to national guidance to consider before administering medicines covertly to adults.

Articles, Newsletters

New Medicines News

Articles, Bulletins

SPS Spotlight Monthly Digest

A slide deck summarising SPS outputs and resources. It should be distributed to relevant healthcare professionals and their teams.

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.

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…

SPS - Specialist Pharmacy Service

NHS