Medicines are essential for treating illness but must be used safely to prevent harm. Everyone has a role in medication safety. By working together, we can protect patients and improve quality of care.
This page brings together key updates, guidance and resources for healthcare professionals in south east London.
Teratogenic medicines
Resources to support medication safety
Stay informed with medication safety guidance and information. Please note access to some of these resources require registration to access the information or receive notification:
- Drug Safety Updates: All past drug safety updates can be accessed here along with a sign up for e-mail updated for new drug safety updates.
- Patient Safety Alerts: To support safe prescribing, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides guidance for healthcare providers on handling patient safety concerns. For practical advice and expectations see GP Mythbuster 91- Patient Safety alerts
- Learn from patient safety events: Staff can record, access, and update patient safety events to support learning and improvement, including governance activities. Depending on access level, users can also view and down.
- MHRA yellow card reporting
For further information on Medication Safety, and support and guidance resources for Medication Safety Officers (MSOs), please see Specialist Pharmacy Services (SPS)
Local resources for medication safety
See below additional local medicines safety guidance and updates:
For further information, updates and resources for primary care, go to SELnet.
Medicine shortages
Medicines shortages are an increasing challenge across the NHS. This section provides links to national advice, local guidance and supporting resources to help healthcare professionals manage shortages safely and effectively.
Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT) shortage
Diabetes shortage
- Discontinuation of Levemir® (insulin detemir) by the end of December 2026
- Discontinuation of NovoRapid® (insulin aspart) FlexTouch®100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens
- SEL Levemir® (insulin detemir) discontinuation implementation plan – January 2026
- Supply disruption of Fiasp® (insulin aspart) FlexTouch® 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens
- Supply disruption of Tresiba® (insulin degludec) FlexTouch® 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens
Resources to support medication shortages
Please note access to some of these resources require registration to access the information or receive notification:
- Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) Medicines Supply tool: The tool provides latest information on supply issues, actions to take, alternatives to use, and expected resolution date (SPS login required)
- NHSBSA Serious shortage protocols
- MHRA Alerts, recalls and safety information: All past MHRA Alerts, recalls and safety information can be accessed here
- MHRA Central Alerting system: The Central Alerting System (CAS) is a web-based cascading system for issuing patient safety alerts, important public health messages and other safety critical information and guidance to the NHS and others, including independent providers of health and social care.
- Guiding principles to support Primary Care (Community Pharmacies and GP Practices) in managing medicines supply shortages
- Modified-release methylphenidate capsules and tablets
