Large scale aseptic hospital production in the UK

This session will describe the transformational work occurring in the UK to meet growing demands for injectable Ready-To-Administer (RTA) medicines.

Andy will focus on the situation in England, where there is a national project to deliver a “Hub & Spoke” model of aseptic compounding across the country. This is in response to a 2020 report called “Transforming NHS Pharmacy Aseptic Services in England” which highlighted the importance of developing and strengthening our aseptic compounding services.

The regulatory framework in the UK allows for units with a “Specials” (MS) licence to manufacture batches of medicines for use as stock items, provided certain quality standards are met.

The national transformation project is run by a central National Health Service (England) Infusions & Special Medicines Advisory Board, which has a number of working groups e.g. workforce, digital & innovation, finance & contracting, hub & spoke operating models, product standardisation, Quality Assurance etc.

Andy will use the example of the Pharmacy Manufacturing Unit in Leeds, England, which has been successful in a financial bid to relocate and expand to provide services to six hospitals in the region; this collaborative is known as “WYAAT” (West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts). The new unit is due to open in 2026, and has a target of manufacturing up to 450,000 injectable medicines per year.

Background
Andy is a senior pharmacist and independent prescriber at one of the UK’s largest teaching hospitals, with responsibility for licensed manufacturing (aseptic & overlabelling), radiopharmacy, bespoke aseptic compounding and Quality Control/Quality Assurance; the service operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Andy also acts as the chair of the UK NHS Pharmacy Production Committee which represents all the hospitals with a “Specials” (MS) licence to manufacture batches of compounded medicines (sterile & non-sterile). He has interests in unlicensed medicines risk assessment, and the automation of pharmacy compounding.