Unlicensed medicines: good practice principles

In this episode John Oliver speaks to expert guests about evaluating the suitability of unlicensed medicines for the patient. We discuss practical considerations for managing them in dispensaries, performing a quality assessment and good governance frameworks. (29m:55s) Speakers: John Oliver, Quality Assurance Specialist; NHS SPS Dr. Andrew Lowey, Lead Clinician, Pharmacy Preparative Services Leeds Teaching Hospitals, and chair of the NHS Pharmacy Production Committee Penny Daynes, Associate Regional Pharmacy Procurement Specialist; NHS SPS, North East and Yorkshire Katherine Cullen, Divisional Director Clinical Support Services, Chief Pharmacist; Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust Lynn Morrison, Regional Quality Assurance Specialist; NHS Scotland Amanda Cooper, Assistant Head of NHS SPS Useful links: MHRA guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supply-unlicensed-medicinal-products-specials (MHRA guidance on unlicensed medicinal products – specials, including Guidance Note 14) SPS guidance https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/guidance/unlicensed-medicines/ https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/understanding-excipients-in-medicines/ https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/searching-for-presence-or-absence-of-an-excipient-in-medicines/ https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/navigating-a-potential-supply-issue/ (SPS log-in required) https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-complexities-of-medication-use-across-care-boundaries/ (Medication Safety across the System providing resources that include valuable real-world examples of safely managing unlicensed liquid medicines)