Talking Meds - A PrescQIPP podcast

PrescQIPP C.I.C.
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 Engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas.Talking Meds is hosted by Jonathan Underhill who, every two weeks, will chat to a fantastic guest about current medical issues and clinical dilemmas. Jonathan has a background as a hospital clinical pharmacist but worked for many years at the National Prescribing Centre (NPC) developing innovative ways of teaching therapeutics, evidence-based medicine and clinical decision making to prescribers and their support teams. Until recently, he worked at NICE as a consultant clinical adviser in their Medicines Optimisation Team. He is now Medicines Clinical Adviser at PrescQIPP. Jonathan and his guests will discuss topics such as new guidance from NICE on menopause, asthma, depression deprescribing and insomnia; how to tackle penicillin allergy de-labelling. There will also be a series on ’Sensible prescribing in Older people with Jonathan and Lucy’, with consultant geriatrician and author Lucy Pollock.PrescQIPP is a Community Interest Company. We operate on a not-for-profit basis for the benefit of NHS patients and organisations and help NHS organisations to improve medicines-related care to patients. Find out more here: https://www.prescqipp.info/

  1. FEB 6

    37. Exploring non-medicine treatments for insomnia with Dr Dimitri Gavriloff

    Welcome to the latest episode of Talking Meds and the PrescQIPP podcast, engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas. Today, your host Jonathan Underhill, Medicines Clinical Adviser at PrescQIPP, talks to Dr Dimitri Gavriloff about sleep disorders and the use of non-medicine interventions to help with this. There has been an issue for some time with the overprescribing of medicines for insomnia with many high profile campaigns to help us reduce the inappropriate use of hypnotics like benzodiazepines and 'z-drugs'. One intervention that has gained prominence in the past few years is the use of CBTI – cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. Dimitri is a Clinical Psychologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist with extensive experience in assessing and treating a wide range of sleep disorders. He has experience of running an NHS tertiary care sleep medicine service and now works at the University of Oxford’s Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, dividing his time between academic and research roles.  Alongside his academic work, he is the director of Sleep Well Oxford, a sleep clinic and sleep medicine consultancy, and is a consultant in sleep medicine for Big Health Ltd. PrescQIPP resources mentioned in this episode; Bulletin 352. InsomniaClinical webinar - Digital CBT for Insomnia - February 2024Clinical Masterclass - March 2024 - Insomnia: getting back to better sleepOther resources mentioned in this episode; NICE Decision Aid - should I stop my benzodiazepine or z-drug?Spielman's 3 Ps model of insomniaThe Sleep CharityThe ‘5 principles’ of good sleep healthA new episode of Talking Meds will be available every other Friday. If you have feedback or suggestions for future topics and guests please submit them to talkingmeds@prescqipp.info PrescQIPP is funded by the NHS for the NHS, and our aim is to improve medicines-related care for patients. We do this by producing high quality evidence-based resources and training, and by facilitating networks between NHS organisations and professionals. The majority of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across the UK can access our resources by registering and logging on to our website. If you have any difficulty accessing the website you can email help@prescqipp.info and we’ll aim to sort things out for you. Find out more about PrescQIPP here

    34 min

  2. JAN 23

    36. Genomics-informed medicines optimisation with Vicky Chaplin & Paul Selby

    Welcome to the first of two episodes of Talking Meds where we are going to be talking about Genomics-informed medicines optimisation! As this may well be a phrase that is as unfamiliar to you as it was to me until recently, we have two guests to help explain what it is and why it is of great importance to us all, either as clinicians or patients. Our first guest, Vicky Chaplin, is the Senior Clinical Lead for the Genomics Unit at NHS England, overseeing the multidisciplinary healthcare professional team and their associated workstreams. She is part of the Chief Pharmacist In England, David Webb’s Senior Leadership Team and Pharmacy Advisory Group – to ensure the work is coordinated across pharmacy and medicines developments across the NHS and government.  Vicky has worked in various sectors of pharmacy in the NHS and has also worked as a Medical Advisor in the pharmaceutical industry. She is qualified as an independent prescriber, specialising in diabetes care.  Joining Vicky is Paul Selby, a Consultant Pharmacist in Genomics, working at East Genomics. Paul has worked in several trusts, but developed his interest in genomics whilst looking after patients with rare and inherited diseases at Cambridge University Hospital Foundation Trust. In this first episode we introduce the concept of genomics-informed medicines optimisation, and discuss what is happening at both National and Local level in the NHS on this. PrescQIPP resources mentioned in this episode; Pharmacogenomics webinar seriesClinical Masterclass - November 2023 - Pharmacogenomics: Is it time for implementation into clinical practice?Other resources mentioned in this episode; Genomics in Pharmacy - Genomics Education ProgrammeSpotlight: Clopidogrel pilot projectUKCPA Genomics communityCERSI-PGx - ADVANCING PHARMACOGENOMICS IN THE UKDihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency - NHS England GeNotesNICE Early Value Assessment - Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID Kit for detecting a genetic variant to guide antibiotic use and prevent hearing loss in babiesA new episode of Talking Meds will be available every other Friday. If you have feedback or suggestions for future topics and guests please submit them to talkingmeds@prescqipp.info PrescQIPP is funded by the NHS for the NHS, and our aim is to improve medicines-related care for patients. We do this by producing high quality evidence-based resources and training, and by facilitating networks between NHS organisations and professionals. The majority of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across the UK can access our resources by registering and logging on to our website. If you have any difficulty accessing the website you can email help@prescqipp.info and we’ll aim to sort things out for you. Find out more about PrescQIPP here

    34 min

  3. JAN 9

    35. Looking ahead to 2026 in the world of medicines and prescribing

    Welcome to this episode of Talking Meds and the PrescQIPP podcast, engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas. In this, the first episode for 2026, we welcome back three former guests to look ahead to 2026 and they give us their thoughts on what might happen in terms of medicines and prescribing. Philip Newland-Jones  joined us back in April 2025 for Episode 16 where we discussed the management of obesity. Philip is a Consultant Pharmacist in Diabetes and Endocrinology and is the Clinical Director of the Diabetes and Endocrine service at University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Minna Eii joined us in May 2025 for Episode 18 to tell us about her work tackling the sustainability challenges in medicines.  Minna is a hospital pharmacist based in the northeast of England. She is the co-founder of Pharmacy Declares and the lead author of the RPS Greener pharmacy toolkit. And who could ever forget when the fantastic Dr Lucy Pollock joined us for the Talking Meds series on sensible prescribing in older people with Jonathan and Lucy? If you haven't listened then you have missed a trick! Lucy  is a consultant in care of older people in Somerset and an acclaimed author of two fabulous books! We hope you enjoy this episode and have a fantastic 2026! Once again, thanks to all of you for listening and for your suggestions and feedback. Please keep that coming! PrescQIPP resources mentioned in this episode; Bulletin 340. Sustainability in medicines optimisationBulletin 375. Inhaler carbon footprintPolypharmacy and deprescribingOther resources mentioned in this episode; Pragmatic prescribing to reduce harm for older people with moderate to severe frailty | British Geriatrics SocietyObesity Medicines; evidence, implementation and practicalities - Philip Newland-JonesA new episode of Talking Meds will be available every other Friday. If you have feedback or suggestions for future topics and guests please submit them to talkingmeds@prescqipp.info PrescQIPP is funded by the NHS for the NHS, and our aim is to improve medicines-related care for patients. We do this by producing high quality evidence-based resources and training, and by facilitating networks between NHS organisations and professionals. The majority of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across the UK can access our resources by registering and logging on to our website. If you have any difficulty accessing the website you can email help@prescqipp.info and we’ll aim to sort things out for you. Find out more about PrescQIPP here

    38 min

  4. 12/26/2025

    34. Looking back on 2025 in the world of medicines and prescribing

    Welcome to this episode of Talking Meds and the PrescQIPP podcast, engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas. In this last episode for 2025, we welcome back three former guests to look back on the year in terms of medicines and prescribing. Prof Adam Todd joined us in July 2025 for episode 23 where we discussed his work on how community pharmacy can buck the inverse care law. Dr Deb Gompertz joined us back in June 2025 for episode 21 to talk about her 'Show me your medicines' campaign. Hadeel Mohammed joined us in March 2025 for episode 14 where we discussed the importance of mentoring to encourage personal progress and, specifically, the ENIGMA scheme that she helped set up. We have a had a very successful year at PrescQIPP and particularly with the Talking Meds podcast. This will be our 34th episode and bearing in mind most podcasts only last around 3 months before they stop, we're pleased to have had over 13,000 downloads since we started. Thanks to all of you for listening and for your suggestions and feedback. Please keep that coming! Resources mentioned in this episode: Pragmatic prescribing to reduce harm for older people with moderate to severe frailtyCore20PLUS5 Framework: Reducing healthcare inequalities among older peopleThe Positive Pharmacy Care Law RevisitedENIGMA Mentoring Initiative - ENhancing leadershIp amonGst ethnically diverse feMale phArmacy professionals [ENIGMA]'Show me your meds please?' campaign materialsPrevious episodes with the guests interviewed today: Episode 14. The importance of mentoring to encourage personal progress with Hadeel MohamedEpisode 21. Show me your medicines with Dr Deb GompertzEpisode 23. How community pharmacy can buck the inverse care law with Prof Adam ToddA new episode of Talking Meds will be available every other Friday. If you have feedback or suggestions for future topics and guests please submit them to talkingmeds@prescqipp.info PrescQIPP is funded by the NHS for the NHS, and our aim is to improve medicines-related care for patients. We do this by producing high quality evidence-based resources and training, and by facilitating networks between NHS organisations and professionals. The majority of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across the UK can access our resources by registering and logging on to our website. If you have any difficulty accessing the website you can email help@prescqipp.info and we’ll aim to sort things out for you. Find out more about PrescQIPP here

    32 min

  5. 12/12/2025

    33. Using the PrescQIPP IMPACT tool for person-centred medication reviews with Katie Smith

    Welcome to the latest episode of Talking Meds and the PrescQIPP podcast, engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas. Today, your host Jonathan Underhill, Medicines Clinical Adviser at PrescQIPP, talks to Katie Smith about the PrescQIPP IMPACT Tool.  Katie is the Director of Clinical Quality at PrescQIPP and is responsible for quality assuring all the PrescQIPP resources before publication.  Katie has worked for 29 years as a pharmacist in community pharmacy, as a GP practice pharmacist and medicines information pharmacist. She has worked with PrescQIPP since their inception in 2010 and joined the team substantively in April 2018.  Outside of work she enjoys reading, cooking and watching sport, particularly the trials and tribulations of Ipswich Town FC, as well as being mum to her  9 year old adopted son. PrescQIPP resources mentioned in this episode: Bulletin 268: IMPACTIMPACT webinarUsing IMPACT for a medication reviewOther resources mentioned in this episode: GP EvidenceSTOPP-START v3 - CGA Toolkit PlusA new episode of Talking Meds will be available every other Friday. If you have feedback or suggestions for future topics and guests please submit them to talkingmeds@prescqipp.info PrescQIPP is funded by the NHS for the NHS, and our aim is to improve medicines-related care for patients. We do this by producing high quality evidence-based resources and training, and by facilitating networks between NHS organisations and professionals. The majority of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across the UK can access our resources by registering and logging on to our website. If you have any difficulty accessing the website you can email help@prescqipp.info and we’ll aim to sort things out for you. Find out more about PrescQIPP here

    26 min

  6. 11/28/2025

    32. Caring about medicines in care homes with Jonathan and Sundus, episode 5

    Welcome to the latest episode of Talking Meds and the PrescQIPP podcast, engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas. Today, your host Jonathan Underhill, Medicines Clinical Adviser at PrescQIPP, continues the series of podcasts called 'Caring about medicines in Care Homes with Jonathan and Sundus'.  In today's episode, Jonathan and Sundus are joined by Jane Shanahan who is a Pharmacy Technician with over four decades of experience. Currently, Jane works for the Specialist Medicines Optimisation Care Home Team at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS, where they provide expert support to numerous care homes through comprehensive medicines optimisation, crisis turnaround, staff education and training, and detailed medication reviews. Jane has collaborated on many projects looking at anticholinergic burden and won the PrescQIPP gold award for their project on reducing anticholinergic  burden as well as the APTUK Pharmacy Education and Development Award. She is currently working on a collaborative national campaign called #FindYourEvelyn,  which has resulted in significant improvement in quality of life for a 101 year old lady. The challenge from Jane is for others to find your Evelyn and make an impact on their lives. PrescQIPP resources mentioned in this episode: PrescQIPP Care Homes WebkitPrescQIPP Care homes VPGPrescQIPP gold award for their project on reducing anticholinergic  burdenPrescQIPP eLearning course on anticholinergic burdenPrescQIPP Bulletin 360. Anticholinergic burdenOther resources mentioned in this episode: #FindYourEvelynNational Pharmacy Care Home Faculty in partnership with PCPANICE Guideline on Managing medicines in care homesCare Quality Commission Medicines information for adult social care servicesA new episode of Talking Meds will be available every other Friday. If you have feedback or suggestions for future topics and guests please submit them to talkingmeds@prescqipp.info PrescQIPP is funded by the NHS for the NHS, and our aim is to improve medicines-related care for patients. We do this by producing high quality evidence-based resources and training, and by facilitating networks between NHS organisations and professionals. The majority of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across the UK can access our resources by registering and logging on to our website. If you have any difficulty accessing the website you can email help@prescqipp.info and we’ll aim to sort things out for you. Find out more about PrescQIPP here

    28 min

  7. 11/14/2025

    31. Prescribing hot topics with Zoe Girdis

    Welcome to the latest episode of Talking Meds and the PrescQIPP podcast, engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas. Today, your host Jonathan Underhill, Medicines Clinical Adviser at PrescQIPP, talks to Zoe Girdis about recent prescribing hot topics. This is an opportunity to update your mindline with some of the recent changes from NICE and MHRA that impact medicines. Zoe Girdis is a pharmacist prescriber who works as an independent consultant for primary care and as a trainer and educator. Her career as a pharmacist spans over 27 years working in England, Ireland and Australia. She was one of the first pharmacist prescribers in the UK and has worked for NICE as well as being the National Director for Practice, Policy and Regulation in Australia.  Zoe co-founded and delivered the National Polypharmacy Action Learning set 3 day course honing in on many of Zoe’s passions – shared decision making, person centred care and educating/mentoring colleagues to create successful communities of practice and, frankly, be the best clinicians they can be.  Click here to access the slides that accompany the hour long webinar that covered these topics in more detail. Today's episode covers the following topics: MHRA Drug Safety Update on Topical steroids: introduction of new labelling and a reminder of the possibility of severe side effects, including Topical Steroid Withdrawal ReactionsNICE Type 2 diabetes in adults: management (medicines update)NICE NG 106: Chronic heart failure in adults: diagnosis and management (updated Sept 2025)Other useful links GP Evidence decision tool on Heart Failure with reduced ejection fractionGP Evidence on type-2 diabetesNICE PDA on type 2 diabetesA new episode of Talking Meds will be available every other Friday. If you have feedback or suggestions for future topics and guests please submit them to talkingmeds@prescqipp.info PrescQIPP is funded by the NHS for the NHS, and our aim is to improve medicines-related care for patients. We do this by producing high quality evidence-based resources and training, and by facilitating networks between NHS organisations and professionals. The majority of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across the UK can access our resources by registering and logging on to our website. If you have any difficulty accessing the website you can email help@prescqipp.info and we’ll aim to sort things out for you. Find out more about PrescQIPP here

    31 min

  8. 10/31/2025

    30. Medicines in breast feeding with Laura Kearney

    Welcome to the latest episode of Talking Meds and the PrescQIPP podcast, engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas. Today, your host Jonathan Underhill, Medicines Clinical Adviser at PrescQIPP, talks to Laura Kearney about the use of medicines in breast feeding. Laura is the Clinical Lead pharmacist for the team at the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service, an NHS service advising on the use of medicines in breastfeeding. Laura is a Medicines Advice pharmacist with a clinical background in hospital pharmacy. She previously worked at the BNF, where she gained her MSc. She specialises in medicines use in breastfeeding, and in 2022 was the first UK pharmacist to become a UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Qualified Advocate. Last year she also became the first consultant pharmacist specialising in lactation and medicines advice.  She has a passion for ensuring all babies and families are supported to breastfeed, providing evidence-based holistic care, and advocating for change.  Resources mentioned in this episode: The Breastfeeding Network | Independent Breastfeeding Supporte-lactancia. Is this compatible with breastfeeding?Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) - NCBI BookshelfPharmaceutical Journal - Some women stop breastfeeding following ‘overly cautious’ medication adviceA new episode of Talking Meds will be available every other Friday. If you have feedback or suggestions for future topics and guests please submit them to talkingmeds@prescqipp.info PrescQIPP is funded by the NHS for the NHS, and our aim is to improve medicines-related care for patients. We do this by producing high quality evidence-based resources and training, and by facilitating networks between NHS organisations and professionals. The majority of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across the UK can access our resources by registering and logging on to our website. If you have any difficulty accessing the website you can email help@prescqipp.info and we’ll aim to sort things out for you. Find out more about PrescQIPP here

    28 min
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 Engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas.Talking Meds is hosted by Jonathan Underhill who, every two weeks, will chat to a fantastic guest about current medical issues and clinical dilemmas. Jonathan has a background as a hospital clinical pharmacist but worked for many years at the National Prescribing Centre (NPC) developing innovative ways of teaching therapeutics, evidence-based medicine and clinical decision making to prescribers and their support teams. Until recently, he worked at NICE as a consultant clinical adviser in their Medicines Optimisation Team. He is now Medicines Clinical Adviser at PrescQIPP. Jonathan and his guests will discuss topics such as new guidance from NICE on menopause, asthma, depression deprescribing and insomnia; how to tackle penicillin allergy de-labelling. There will also be a series on ’Sensible prescribing in Older people with Jonathan and Lucy’, with consultant geriatrician and author Lucy Pollock.PrescQIPP is a Community Interest Company. We operate on a not-for-profit basis for the benefit of NHS patients and organisations and help NHS organisations to improve medicines-related care to patients. Find out more here: https://www.prescqipp.info/

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