Talking Meds - A PrescQIPP podcast
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/
Talking Meds - A PrescQIPP podcast
38. What is penicillin allergy de-labelling (PADL) and why is it important with Prof Phil Howard
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Welcome to the latest episode of Talking Meds and the PrescQIPP podcast, engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas. Today Jonathan Underhill, Medicines Clinical Adviser at PrescQIPP, talks to Prof Philip Howard about penicillin allergy de-labelling, colloquially known as PADL.
Philip is a leading expert in antimicrobial stewardship, he currently serves as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Regional Antimicrobial Stewardship Lead for NHS England North-East & Yorkshire. He is also a Past President of the British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, a member of the DHSA advisory group on AMR and healthcare-acquired infections, and supports NICE in developing infectious disease guidance.
He has published widely on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and antibiotic shortages, and has delivered AMS education and training globally. Among his many honours, I know he was especially proud to receive an OBE for services to healthcare.
Patients with a recorded penicillin allergy cannot receive many first-line antibiotics and may need second or third-line agents, increasing antimicrobial resistance. Although true penicillin allergy can be life-threatening due to anaphylaxis, 6–8% of the UK population (4–5 million people) carry a label, and up to 95% are inaccurate. Careful penicillin allergy de-labelling (PADL) therefore benefits both individuals and public health.
PrescQIPP resources mentioned in this episode;
- Bulletin 313: Antimicrobial stewardship
- Clinical Masterclass - July 2024 - Antimicrobial Stewardship; NAP for success in AMS
- Antimicrobial stewardship
- NHS Oversight Framework 2025-2026 - ICB performance dashboard: Children prescribed antibiotics in primary care
Other resources mentioned in this episode;
- Summary of antimicrobial prescribing guidance - managing common infections
- Start smart then focus: toolkit summary
- ALABAMA study
- National patient safety alert – harm from incorrect recording of penicillin allergy as penicillamine allergy
A new episode of Talking Meds will be available on the first Friday of the month.
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