SALG has continued to concentrate on improving medication safety in 2025, with a particular focus on improving availability of pre-filled syringes of anaesthetic medications. The group are currently working with stakeholders from a variety of organisations to support this agenda. Stakeholders that we are currently working with, or plan to work with soon include pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers of medical equipment such as needles, syringes and syringe drivers, procurement specialists, human factors professionals, regulators and patient organisations that have a particular interest in this area. 

Following the SALG conference, we have had a lot of interest from anaesthetists in this pre-filled syringes workstream. We’re aware that many were prompted to raise this issue with their departments. SALG representatives met with the MHRA recently regarding the difficulties that trusts have been having in gaining access to pre-filled syringes of suxamethonium in particular. We will continue to follow this up with the MHRA and will keep colleagues posted on developments. Recently we have been made aware that there is now a licensed pre-filled syringe of rocuronium available in the UK for purchase in a sterile prefilled syringe (50mg/5ml).

SALG is currently developing a list to be shared with manufacturers, and procurement and pharmacy colleagues of anaesthetic medications that should be available in a pre-filled format. The aim of this list is to specify standardised volumes and dosages of medications commonly used by anaesthetists in theatres to optimise patient safety. In addition, SALG will be working with clinical human factors specialists to ensure that any changes that are proposed will not have unintended negative consequences.

The SALG website will continue to be updated with information and links as they become available, so we would encourage anaesthetists who are interested in this area of work to look at the resources that are included and send us any queries or feedback related to this area of work.