NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service
Episodes
23 June: Change and deviation management in aseptics, covert administration of medicines, & webinars
23 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 13th and ...
Prescribing with confidence: SPS resources supporting safe prescribing
22 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rakhi Aggarwal speaks with Karoline Brennan from the SPS Medicines Advice team. Karoline highlights key SPS written resources for prescribers, explain...
Prescribing with confidence: CPPE supporting prescribers
22 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rakhi Aggarwal speaks with Hayley Berry, Lead for Learning Development at the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE). The discussion focuse...
16 June: Medication incidents, Evergreen Assessments, & drug interactions
16 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
John Oliver, a quality assurance specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 6th and 12th June. To...
Prescribing with confidence: SPS tools supporting safe prescribing
15 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rakhi Aggarwal speaks with Ben Rehman, Lead for Digital at SPS about how prescribers can maximise the use of SPS digital tools, including the medicine...
Prescribing with confidence: When things go wrong in prescribing practice
15 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rakhi Aggarwal speaks with Maria Yousif, Pharmacist and Associate Safety and Learning Lead at NHS Resolution. Maria discusses a hypothetical case scen...
9 June: Prescribing with confidence podcasts, mental health medicines safety challenges, & webinars
09 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 30th May a...
Prescribing with confidence: The new prescriber experience
08 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rakhi Aggarwal interviews Shane Sweeney, Clinical Pharmacist, North Liverpool PCN, about his experience as a newly qualified prescriber. The discussio...
Prescribing with confidence: Experienced prescriber insights
08 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rakhi Aggarwal speaks with Clair Huckerby, Consultant Pharmacist in Primary Care Medicines Optimisation, about her prescribing journey. Clair shares h...
2 June: Multiple dose injectable medicines, off-contract claims, & webinars galore
02 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah Miller, Deputy Regional Quality Assurance Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 23rd and 29nd...
Prescribing with confidence: Trailer
01 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode introduces the Prescribing with Confidence podcast series as trainee pharmacists and a final-year pharmacy student share their key insigh...
26 May: biosimilar feedback, vaccine resources update, & upcoming events
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Gary Hodgson, one of the medicines advice pharmacists at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 16th and 22nd May. ...
19 May: Switching from doxazosin XL, children’s medicines, & clozapine in swallowing difficulties
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
John Oliver, quality assurance specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 9th and 15th May. To ea...
12 May: insulin safety, transdermal patches, & upcoming events
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dav Manku, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 2nd and 8th...
5 May: Embedding medication safety, Benztropine, & Medication compliance aid stability tool guidance
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
5 May: Embedding medication safety, Benztropine, & Medication compliance aid stability tool guidance Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy procu...
28 April: biosimilars, managing pharmaceutical waste, & evaluating imported unlicensed drugs
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 18th and 24th April. To easily fin...
21 April: Contraception resources, polypharmacy updates, and upcoming events
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
John Oliver, one of the quality assurance specialists at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 11th and 17th April. T...
14 April: Prescribing updates, advising on medicines during breastfeeding, & vaccines and PGDs
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Penny Daynes - associate regional pharmacy procurement specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 28th March an...
31 March: Parkinson’s and swallowing difficulties, antidepressants in epilepsy, & gowning
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 21st and 27th March. To easily find...
24 March: Dental controlled drugs, impact of sodium content in medicines, & upcoming events
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 14th and 20th March. To easily find...
17 March: Phenytoin monitoring, palliative care resources, & upcoming events
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Penny Daynes, associate regional pharmacy procurement specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 7th and 13th M...
10 March: Sustainability in aseptic services, new biosimilars and PSIRF
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah Miller, Deputy Quality Assurance Pharmacist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 28th February and 6th March....
3 March: Advanced therapy medicinal products, medication safety, & updated travel health guidance
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 21st and 27th February. To easily f...
24 February: Procurement in Secondary Care, Spironolactone monitoring, & updated switching guidance
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dav Manku Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 14th and 20th Febr...
17 February: Assessing risks with injectable medicines, breastfeeding updates & upcoming events
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 7th and 13th F...
Effectively embedding medication safety into PSIRF: what to expect from this webinar
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Kirk and Anna Bischler talk about what you can expect from attending the upcoming webinar ‘Embedding medication safety in the Patient Safety In...
10 February: Polypharmacy resources, aflibercept biosimilars, & upcoming events
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
See Mun Wong, Digital and Quality Improvement Specialist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 31st January and 6th Feb...
3 Feb 2026: Clinical trials regulations, carbamazepine update, & toothpaste and fluoride toxicity
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah Miller, Deputy Regional Quality Assurance Pharmacist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 24th and 30th January...
27 January: Aseptic Service landing page, Omalizumab biosimilar, & upcoming events
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
See Mun Wong, Digital & Quality Improvement Specialist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 17th and 23rd January. ...
20 January: Medicines inventory, medication after bariatric surgery, & switching gabapentinoids
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Gary Hodgson, Medicines Advice Pharmacist at SPS presents, a summary of the resources published by SPS between 10th and 16th January. To easi...
13 January: New medicines news, upcoming events & horizon scanning opportunity
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Penny Daynes, Associate regional pharmacy procurement specialist, at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 3rd and 9th Janu...
6 January: Managing pharmaceutical waste, December summaries & upcoming events
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah Miller, Deputy Regional Quality Assurance Pharmacist, at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 20th December and 2nd...
23 December: Preventing errors on the medicine journey, liver podcasts & time critical medicines
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah Miller, Deputy Regional Quality Assurance Pharmacist at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 13th and 19th December...
16 December: Problematic polypharmacy podcasts, Denosumab biosimilars & upcoming events
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 6th and 12th Dece...
Liver Transplant
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Fatema Jessa about liver transplant. Discussion includes what liver transplant is, why it is performed, how patients are mana...
Alcohol related liver disease (ARLD)
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Leslie Wong, Advanced Clinical Pharmacist in Hepatology in the Eastern Liver Network and Communications Officer at the Britis...
Hepatitis C
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Helen Boothman, Lead Hepatology Pharmacist and past chair of the British Hepatology Pharmacy Group (BHPG) about hepatitis C. ...
Hepatitis B
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Helen Boothman, Lead Hepatology Pharmacist and past chair of the British Hepatology Pharmacy Group (BHPG) about hepatitis B. ...
Polypharmacy 5 moments: Frailty: when less is more
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our final episode, we explore frailty, a state of reduced resilience that makes people—particularly older adults—more vulnerable to adverse dru...
Polypharmacy 5 moments: Persistent non-adherence
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here we focus on non-adherence, which often signals that medicines may no longer be appropriate, wanted, or manageable. The reasons are multifactorial...
Polypharmacy 5 moments: Repeat dispensing and supply
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores repeat dispensing and repeat supply as key moments to start meaningful conversations about medicines. When patients or carers or...
Polypharmacy 5 moments: Significant changes
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we focus on significant changes, especially after hospital discharge or when new, uncontrolled or worsening symptoms appear. For olde...
Polypharmacy 5 moments: Returned medicines
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we look at returned medicines as a key moment to spot potential overprescribing. When patients or carers bring back unwanted items, R...
9 December: Prescribing available epidural infusion bags, New medicines news, & Upcoming events
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
See Mun Wong, Digital and Quality Improvement Specialist, at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 29th November and 5th De...
2 December: Safe use of amphotericin B injection, PGD template updates, & New Product Evaluations
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dav Manku, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist, at SPS presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 22nd and 28th Novem...
25 November: Medicines governance opportunity, denosumab biosimilar, & upcoming events
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
See Mun Wong, Digital and Quality Improvement Specialist, at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 15th and 21st November....
18 November: Denosumab Biosimilar, PGD Templates & Upcoming Events
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nicola Wake, Associate Director, Medicines Use and Safety, at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 8th and 14th November....
11 November: Ophthalmology biosimilars, medicines governance opportunity, & New Medicines News
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy procurement specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 1st and 7th Nove...
04 November: Account check, SMR explainer videos & Gene therapy guidance
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
See Mun Wong, Digital and Quality Improvement Specialist, at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 25th and 31st October. ...
28 October: GLP-1 receptor agonists, New Product Evaluations, & PGD template updates
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dav Manku, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist, at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 18th and 24th Octo...
Primary care discussions: biosimilar insulin
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An ‘on the couch’ discussion on the practical implementation of biosimilar insulin in primary care, focusing on hints and tips to consider should ...
16 September: time critical use of rasburicase, biosimilars, & upcoming events
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John Oliver, a quality assurance specialist at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 6th and 12th September. To easily f...
Understanding safe use of medicines challenges in palliative and end of life care
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jo Clarke (Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - Palliative and End of Life Care, Medicines Use and Safety in SPS) explores some of the known issues which ...
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Yun Jung Kim, Senior Specialist Pharmacist in Hepatology about primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Discussion includes what PB...
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Sonal Patel, Lead Hepatology Pharmacist about autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Discussion includes what AIH is, prevalence, diagno...
Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Arron Jones, Lead Hepatology Pharmacist about metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Discussion in...
MSATS: People living with diabetes and what insulin safety means to them
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Kirk discusses with Claire Davies her experiences and learnings from speaking with people living with diabetes as part of the NHS SPS insulin saf...
Unlicensed medicines: good practice principles
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode John Oliver speaks to expert guests about evaluating the suitability of unlicensed medicines for the patient. We discuss practical con...
Primary care discussions: personalised evidence-based medicine to minimise polypharmacy
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Audio from our webinar held on the 4 March 2025 which featured a facilitated case-based discussion about the complexities of polypharmacy and deprescr...
MSATS: Insulin safety considerations in Health and Justice and secure settings
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Davies chats to Neera Shah about the challenges and considerations with insulin safety in health and justice and secure settings. Claire Dav...
MSATS: Voice of people living with diabetes - insulin safety and visual impairment
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Davies chats with Toby, a person living with diabetes, as to why it is essential that the voice of those with lived experience is heard and is ...
Unlicensed medicines: information, assurance, & diligence
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode John Oliver speaks to expert guests about the information and assurance needed to support the use of unlicensed medicines. We discuss ...
Unlicensed medicines: why we need them
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode John Oliver speaks to expert guests who define unlicensed medicines and explain why we need them. We discuss the shared responsibility...
Lipid management and newer therapies
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rakhi talks to Antonio about newer therapies for lipid management, incliseran and bemepdoic acid. They discuss their place in therapy and how they ma...
Swallowing difficulties (part one)
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Experienced Medicines Advice pharmacists, Karoline Brennan and Daniel Hill, talk you through how to manage patients who are unable to swallow medicine...
Swallowing difficulties (part two)
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Experienced Medicines Advice pharmacists, Karoline Brennan and Daniel Hill, talk you through how to manage patients who are unable to swallow medicine...
Pharmacy First: Infected Insect Bites
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Dr Stephanie Gallard and Liz Kramer about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the infected insect bi...
Pharmacy First: Impetigo
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Dr Stephanie Gallard and Liz Kramer about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the impetigo service u...
Pharmacy First: Shingles
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Dr Stephanie Gallard and Liz Kramer about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the shingles service u...
Procurement: Navigating a potential supply issue
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Penny and Andy discuss new resources to support NHS procurement teams manage medicine shortages. They are joined by Sally and Andrew who talk about u...
Dosing of medicines in renal impairment
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Two of our experienced Medicines Advice Pharmacists, John Minshull and Luke Elliott, talk about answering queries regarding the dosing of medication i...
Drugs in liver impairment
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Aimee Francisco about drugs in liver impairment. Discussion includes key issues to consider when prescribing in liver disease...
Cirrhosis
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Naz Kanani Alviri about liver cirrhosis. Discussion includes what cirrhosis is, and how it is diagnosed, the difference betwe...
Liver Disease
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Sital Shah in our introductory podcast about liver disease. Discussion includes the functions of the liver, difference betwee...
Lipid management and haemorrhagic stroke
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rakhi talks to Catherine and Kavan about optimising lipid management in patients who have had a haemorrhagic stroke. They discuss the importance of c...
Lipid management and ischaemic stroke
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rakhi talks to Catherine and Kavan about optimising lipid management in patients who have had an ischaemic stroke. They discuss the importance of con...
Introduction to answering questions about medicines
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Two of our experienced Medicines Advice Pharmacists, John Minshull and Iram Husain, discuss how medicines advice pharmacists answer queries safely. ...
Pharmacy First: Children
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Dr Alicia Demirjian and James Milner about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the new Pharmacy Firs...
Pharmacy First: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Naomi Fleming and Reena Barai about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the uncomplicated urinary tr...
Pharmacy First: Otitis Media
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Professor Nick Francis and Rahul Sharda about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the otitis media s...
Pharmacy First: Sore Throat
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Professor Paul Little and Simran Sirpal about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the sore throat se...
Pharmacy First: Sinusitis
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kieran Reynolds talks to Professor Alastair Hay and Simran Sirpal about some of the clinical issues surrounding the sinusitis service under Pharmacy F...
Celebrating Pharmacy Technician Day: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this extended podcast, Claire Dearden talks to Nicola Stockmann who is the President of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK. To celebrate Ph...
Clinical Trials: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Lucy Featherstone who is an Oncology and Haematology Clinical Trials Pharmacy Technician. Lucy is responsible for managing, or...
Community Pharmacy: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Jon Ball who works as a community pharmacy technician managing a Boots Pharmacy at Bluewater. Jon’s role includes ensuring t...
Emergency Department Pilot: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Ben Smith and Michelle Brown. Ben and Michelle were redeployed to work in an Emergency Department as part of a project to impr...
Navigate difficult conversations with confidence
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this follow up to our webinar Naima & Nicola discuss deescalating conflict, and preparing for and having conversations when people may not hear wha...
Oncology: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Rebecca Toole (Becca) who is a Chemotherapy Medicines Management Pharmacy Technician working in an Oncology Day Unit. Alongsid...
Medicines Administration: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Sarah, a Specialised Pharmacy Technician who has a responsibility of overseeing the administration of medication to patients. ...
Pharmacy Integration & Workforce: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Claire Hand who is Pharmacy Integration and Workforce Lead. Claire's role involves supporting the Integrated care System (ICS)...
Hospital Pharmacy: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Lynsey, who is Dispensary Manager & Homecare Lead. Lynsey's role is to give operational oversight of the Pharmacy team within ...
Community pharmacy perspective on the complexities of medication use across care boundaries
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jose Moss, Vice Chair of the Community Pharmacy Safety Group and Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist, Boots UK Limited, and Martin Sadr-Kazemi, Medicatio...
Community services: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Susan and Sue who work for Luton Community Nursing Services. Their role is to ensure that medication is managed safely and eff...
Partnerships: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Aiste Guogyte who, at the time of recording, worked for Horsham Central Primary Care Network (PCN), which included four GP pra...
Controlled Drugs Stewardship: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Charlotte who works as Controlled Drugs and Policies Lead for Solent NHS Trust. Her role includes overseeing all aspects of co...
Primary Care Network: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Rose who works in a Primary Care Network, her role involves conducting various medication reviews in clinics such as post disc...
Social enterprise: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Katherine and Chloe who work at Turning Point, a social enterprise delivering health and social care services across substance...
Technical services: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Dearden talks to Kate, John and Kyle about Pharmacy Technicians working in Technicial Services. Kate is responsible for the development of the ...
Primary Care Discussions: Heart Failure
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rakhi Aggarwal hosted this webinar with Clare Thomson and Alison Warren on the 20 August discussing about identifying heart failure and optimising tre...
National Fellowship: a Pharmacy Technician Coffee Break Conversation
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nicola talks to Claire about becoming the first ever National Pharmacy Technician Fellow. Claire shares her Pharmacy Technician career journey and her...