29 July: Avoiding ingredients in medicines, PGD templates, & palliative and end of life care project

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service

Madeleine Foster, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical at SPS, presents a summary of the resources published by SPS between 19th and 25th July. To easily find a list of newly published pages go to sps.nhs.uk, select ‘search’, click in the search bar, and press enter. Quick links to highlighted resources:      Key principles on avoiding ingredients in medicines Spiritual, religious, cultural, and lifestyle factors can affect preferences for excipients and active ingredients in medicines. We cover key principles. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/key-principles-on-avoiding-ingredients-in-medicines/ Avoiding animal contents within medicines Our guidance on supporting patients avoiding animal products, offers you informed, patient-centred decisions regarding animal containing or derived medicines. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/avoiding-animal-contents-within-medicines/ Benzylpenicillin for Group B Streptococcus for use in neonates SPS PGD template for the intrapartum administration of benzylpenicillin for prevention of early-onset Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection in neonates. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/benzylpenicillin-for-group-b-streptococcus-for-use-in-neonates/ Terbutaline injection for use in labour within maternity services SPS PGD template for administering subcutaneous terbutaline sulfate for the reduction of contraction frequency in individuals in labour. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/terbutaline-injection-for-labour-within-maternity-services/ Combined oral hormonal contraceptive (COC) in reproductive health SPS PGD template for the supply of a combined oral hormonal contraceptive for contraception, or for individuals requiring control of problematic bleeding. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/combined-oral-hormonal-contraceptive-coc-in-reproductive-health/ Progestogen only pill (POP) for contraception SPS PGD template for the supply of a progestogen only pill (POP) for contraception. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/progestogen-only-pill-pop-for-contraception/ Preparing to use aflibercept 2mg biosimilar Aflibercept 2mg biosimilars for use in ophthalmology are expected in December 2025 for NHS use. We offer general information and implementation advice. https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-to-use-aflibercept-2mg-biosimilar/ Next events – forthcoming webinars and conferences      https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/events/next-events/     Podcast description:    NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service serves healthcare professionals across the NHS who are involved in all aspects of buying, making and using medicines. Our motto is 'do once and share'.