Welcome to the National Sleep Pharmacy Network

We bring together pharmacy professionals from all sectors of primary, secondary and community care, academic institutions, and government agencies, to elevate sleep medicine as a necessary health science. Together we promote safe, effective prescribing and use of medicines that improves patient outcomes and the public good.

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1 in 3

Around 1 in 3 adults affected by poor sleep¹

£40bn

Annual economic cost of sleep loss in the UK²

15–30%

Of children aged 3–12 years have sleep difficulties³

#1 Insomnia

Most prevalent sleep disorder in the UK⁴

"Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to identify, manage, and improve outcomes for patients with sleep disorders, we are building the network that makes this possible."

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Who We Are

A community grounded in practice
Championing sleep as a pillar of brain health

We are a mix of Specialist Sleep Pharmacists and Pharmacists with a Specialist Interest in Sleep, working across some of the UK's leading sleep centres and sleep medicine collaborators, including Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, University Hospitals of Leicester, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, and Great North Children's Hospital.

Through our practice, we have seen first-hand the prevalence of sleep disorders and the growing demand for dedicated sleep services. Yet sleep remains an overlooked specialism, one with a fundamental impact on the health and well-being of our patients.

As the science of sleep advances our understanding of why we sleep, the biological functions of sleep, and what happens when these functions become disrupted, we are committed to translating that knowledge into better patient outcomes and the appropriate use of medicines for the wider population.

Our Direction

Vision & mission

Our Vision

Established leaders in sleep medicine

To establish pharmacy professionals as recognised leaders in sleep medicine across the UK, championing sleep as a fundamental pillar of health and ensuring medicines are used safely, effectively, and in the best interests of patients and the public.

Our Mission

Building the future of sleep pharmacy, together

Represent pharmacy professionals working in or with an interest in sleep, at every career stage and across all sectors
Elevate sleep as a public health priority through advocacy, education, and evidence
Promote the safe, effective, and appropriate use of medicines in sleep disorder management
Provide access to resources, information, and best practice in sleep care
Advance pharmacist-led services through research, innovation, and collaboration
Build a community where pharmacy professionals can connect, learn, and lead

Why It Matters

Sleep disorders are a public health concern

We sleep to repair, grow and rest our mind and body. When sleep is disrupted, these essential processes are compromised. Yet millions of people are living with sleep disorders that go unrecognised and untreated.

Sleep Disordered Breathing Conditions

Insomnia Disorders

Limb Movement in Sleep Disorders

Disorders of Hypersomnia

Parasomnias

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

45%

Increased risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease due to poor sleep⁵

Predictor of Depression

Insomnia predicts the likelihood of developing depression⁶

70%

Of migraine sufferers have insomnia⁷. Migraine affects 1 in 3 women⁸

Up to 15 Years

Sleep disorders can predict neurodegenerative disease onset up to 15 years in advance⁹

Medicines are one of the most overlooked drivers of sleep disruption. Many of the most widely prescribed drugs in the UK either sedate patients during the day or disrupt the architecture of sleep at night, yet this is rarely discussed at the point of prescribing or dispensing. Pharmacy professionals are uniquely positioned to identify and act on medicine-related sleep problems.

Disrupts sleep

SSRIs e.g. sertraline, fluoxetine

SNRIs e.g. venlafaxine, duloxetine

Corticosteroids e.g. prednisolone

Beta blockers e.g. propranolol, atenolol

Stimulants e.g. methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine

Asthma medication e.g. theophylline, montelukast

Decongestants e.g. pseudoephedrine

Diuretics e.g. furosemide

Both effects

Benzodiazepines Sedating short-term; disrupts sleep long-term

Opioids Sedating; suppresses REM and slow-wave sleep

Antihistamines Sedating; suppresses REM sleep

Tricyclic antidepressants Sedating; suppresses REM sleep

Antipsychotics Agent-dependent e.g. olanzapine sedates; amisulpride disrupts

Antiepileptics Agent-dependent e.g. gabapentin sedates; levetiracetam disrupts

Causes sedation

Muscle relaxants e.g. baclofen, tizanidine

Alpha blockers e.g. doxazosin, tamsulosin

Several medicines appear in both columns, reflecting bidirectional or agent-dependent effects. This content reflects specialist knowledge and clinical practice experience in sleep medicine.

A medicines review that includes sleep is not just good pharmacy practice, it is an opportunity to uncover a hidden driver of poor health. Pharmacy teams are uniquely positioned to identify, raise, and act on medicine-related sleep problems that other clinicians may miss.

Sleep across the lifespan

Sleep is critical at every age

Sleep disorders do not discriminate by age. From childhood through to older adulthood, disordered sleep shapes health outcomes, influences medicine use, and creates opportunities for pharmacy-led intervention at every stage of life.

Childhood

Adulthood

Older adults

50%

of adolescents get less than the recommended amount of sleep on school nights¹¹

75%

of children with neurodevelopmental conditions have significant sleep problems¹²

Consistently associated

with behavioural and cognitive difficulties across childhood¹³

9–12 hrs

recommended for school-age children aged 6–12, yet many fall short¹⁴

Sleep drives neural development, memory consolidation, immune function and growth in childhood. Disrupted sleep carries long-term consequences for cognitive development, emotional regulation and mental health. Children with ADHD, autism, epilepsy and chronic pain carry a disproportionately high burden of sleep disorders.

Pregnancy — sleep disturbance affects the majority of pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester, with links to gestational diabetes, hypertension and preterm birth.¹⁹¹⁹

Menopause — vasomotor symptoms, hormonal changes and mood disturbance make insomnia one of the most frequently reported and undertreated symptoms of the menopause transition.²²

Shift work — disruption to circadian rhythm from rotating or night shifts is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, depression and anxiety.^20,21

Sleep disorders in adulthood are frequently underdiagnosed and poorly managed. Pharmacists encounter patients at all of these life stages and are well placed to initiate conversations, signpost appropriately and optimise medicines that may be contributing to sleep disruption.

50%

of adults over 65 report significant sleep difficulties¹⁵

2.4×

higher risk of hip fracture in older adults, even with short-term hypnotic use¹⁶

1 in 5

people with dementia have clinically significant sleep disturbance¹⁷

25%

of hypnotic users aged over 65 prescribed them for more than 10 years¹⁸

Sleep architecture changes significantly with age. Older adults spend less time in deep slow-wave sleep, wake more frequently and experience earlier circadian phase shifts. These changes are often mistaken for pathology, leading to inappropriate prescribing of hypnotics. Pharmacists have a critical role in deprescribing, identifying undiagnosed sleep apnoea and distinguishing normal age-related change from treatable disorders.

The Role of Pharmacy Professionals

Uniquely positioned to transform sleep care

Pharmacists have more patient touchpoints than almost any other healthcare professional. That access creates extraordinary opportunity.

Identify undiagnosed disorders

Screen patients at the counter, during MURs, or in consultation rooms, catching sleep problems that might otherwise go unnoticed for years.

Optimise pharmacotherapy

Review complex medication regimens, reduce inappropriate sedative use, and support evidence-based prescribing decisions for sleep conditions.

Support deprescribing

Lead structured deprescribing of hypnotics and sedatives, reducing patient risk and supporting safer long-term sleep management.

Deliver behavioural interventions

Provide CBT-I support, sleep hygiene advice, and non-pharmacological first-line interventions that make a lasting difference.

Improve treatment adherence

Help patients stay on track with CPAP, medications, and behavioural programmes through regular follow-up and personalised counselling.

Bridge care across settings

Connect primary, secondary, and community care, ensuring seamless patient journeys from screening to long-term sleep health management.

2nd – 3rd October 2026 · Limited Places

The Inaugural National Sleep Pharmacy Network Symposium 2026

Join us for a free day of learning, discussion and connection from sleep experts, and gain the most up-to-date knowledge and practical understanding of sleep disorder management and the effective use of medicines. The second day is open to all but places are limited.

Clayton Hotel Birmingham · Albert Street, B5 5JE View on Google Maps →

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Supported by

Welcome to the National Sleep Pharmacy Network

A community grounded in practice
Championing sleep as a pillar of brain health