Here is a round-up of all the important news this week, including the latest updates on Independent Prescribing and the latest vacancies in Community Pharmacy in Scotland for Thursday, 19th September 2024.
Reminder for Independent Community Pharmacies:
Have you captured and submitted your workforce data for the week of Sunday 8th September - Saturday 14th September 2024? The submission deadline is Friday 11th October 2024—don't miss it!
Our colleagues in the ePharmacy team have made us aware that, due to a planned technical update, the PCR application will be unavailable on Sunday the 22nd of September, coming back online at 8am on Monday the 23rd of September.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
Your next Parcelforce prescription collection is coming up on Thursday, 19th September 2024.
This Circular advises contractors of a balancing payment relating to the 2023/24 global sum, which will be made along with September’s payments.
To view our latest eNewsletter through your browser, please click on the link
Reminder here of the discontinuation of the print copies of the BNF and BNFC, with information as to how to access the online copies.
NHS Scotland employees and contractors are eligible for an account to access the range of resources available through the Knowledge Network.
Courses for Community Pharmacy Independent prescribing training are now open for application.
Here is a round-up of all the important news this week, including the latest updates on Independent Prescribing and the latest job opportunities within the network on Thursday 5th September 2024.
Community Pharmacy Scotland has been made aware of confusion around some of the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service (PFS) Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Patient Group Direction (PGD) details. We thought it would be useful to clarify these points.
Our colleagues at Scottish Government, in collaboration with COSLA have launched the ‘Rethink Dementia’ Campaign on Wednesday, 4th September 2024. The campaign encourages people to 'Rethink Dementia' as evidence shows social contact can help alleviate some symptoms commonly associated with dementia and help them stay well for longer.
Our colleagues at NHS Education for Scotland have launched the first of a series of podcasts to support Designated Prescribing Practitioners.
Pharmacy teams can improve their knowledge and understanding of migraines, by participating in a virtual workshop on 11th or 18th of September 2024 (7-9pm).
The Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey is being undertaken again this year. You are being asked to collate the data during the week commencing Sunday 8th to Saturday 14th September 2024.
The new updated version of Part 7 is now available for September 2024. In this month there is one addition and one deletion from the drug tariff we wanted to make you aware of.
Your next Parcelforce prescription collection is coming up on Thursday, 5th September 2024.
Here is a round-up of all the important news this week, including the latest updates on Independent Prescribing and the latest job opportunities within the network on Thursday 29th August 2024.
Write a short description The Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey is being undertaken again this year. You are being asked to collate the data during the week commencing Sunday 8th to Saturday 14th September 2024.
Due to the day on which the 1st September falls this year, we will publish the September edition of Part 7 on the website slightly later than usual, week beginning Monday 2nd September 2024.
Our colleagues at Scottish Government, in collaboration with COSLA have announced an upcoming launch of the ‘Rethink Dementia’ Campaign. The campaign will launch the 4th September 2024.
The Scottish Government are consulting on draft guidance on achieving value and sustainability in prescribing by reducing unwarranted variation across health boards. This includes items of low and limited clinical value, diabetic sundries, and antimicrobial stewardship.
Our colleagues at Scottish Government have produced an NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service Communications Toolkit to help promote Pharmacy First services in Scotland. There are two kits available: one specifically for women's health services and one for general services.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
Here is a round-up of all the important news this week, including the latest updates on Independent Prescribing and the latest job opportunities within the network.
NHS 24 have recently reported an increase in the number of patients contacting them, who are visiting Scotland from other parts of the UK, who have been unable to access repeat prescription only medicines (POM) in an emergency. In this circumstance, patients fall into the exclusion criteria for a supply under the NHS Scotland Unscheduled Care PGD.
As many of our colleagues begin their new roles, we’ve seen a rise in questions about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. To help you navigate this process, we’ve put together an overview and provided resources to ensure you're fully informed and compliant.
Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government have released Scotland’s 5-year Vaccination and Immunisation Strategy and Delivery Plan.
Our handy MCR ready reckoner is back and updated with the most current and accurate data from National Services Scotland (NSS) and gives as accurate an estimation as is possible. You can use this to see your pharmacy teams weekly targets on MCR assessments needed to get that extra 10% payment.
This Circular advises contractors of a balancing payment relating to the 2023/24 global sum, which will be made along with September’s payments.
To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for cefalexin 500mg tablets, from 6 August 2024 to 27 September 2024.
To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for ramipril 2.5mg tablets, from 6 August 2024 to 15 November 2024.
The Scottish Government have released Circulars PCA(2024)12 through to 20 advising of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) that are in place in relation to supply issues with Quetiapine 150mg, 200mg and 300mg tablets.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the two UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin antibiotic products due to expire on 21 June 2024 have now been extended until Friday 19 July 2024.
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors that a series of Public Health Service (PHS) poster campaigns is planned to be distributed to pharmacies over the course of 2024/25
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors that the two UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspension have been reactivated on 22 May 2024. The new end date for both SSPs is now 21 June 2024.
To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Creon® 25000 gastro-resistant capsules, from 24 May 2024 to 22 November 2024.
To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Creon® 10000 gastro-resistant capsules, from 24 May 2024 to 22 November 2024.
This circular advises community pharmacy contractors and NHS Boards on the amendments to the Drug Tariff Part 11 clawback scale.
This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that the UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for isosorbide mononitrate (Monomil® XL) 60mg modified release tablet due to expire on 3 May 2024 has been extended until Friday 31 May 2024.
This Circular encloses new guidance for dispensing General Practises across Scotland.
To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for isosorbide mononitrate (Monomil® XL) 60mg modified release tablet, from 26 March 2024 to 3 May 2024.
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of updated Patient Group Directions (PGDs) that are to be implemented for the treatment of shingles and skin infections under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
This Circular advises NHS Boards and healthcare professionals that print copies of the British National Formulary (BNF) and BNF for Children (BNFC) will no longer be provided
PCA(P)(2023)46 - Pharmaceutical Services Amendments To The Drug Tariff Part 11 Discount Clawback Scale
This Circular provides updated guidance aimed at both community optometry and community pharmacy teams and an updated referral form for the assessment and treatment of minor eye conditions.
This circular advises community pharmacy contractors and Health Boards of a corrective payment in order to deliver contractual requirements for the financial year 2023/24.
This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that the UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Clarithromycin
This circular informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of the intention to continue funding for Community Pharmacist Practitioner Champions in 2023-24.
This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that the UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Clarithromycin
This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that the UK-wide active Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Estradot®
This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of the next Public Health Service (PHS) poster campaign topics which will be distributed to pharmacies.
This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that the UK-wide active Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Jext® 300 micrograms/ 0.3mL (1 in 1000) solution for injection auto-injector pen
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the UK-wide active Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Estradot® (estradiol hemihydrate) 100 microgram patches
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that two of the UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin antibiotic
This circular advises of changes to the Drug Tariff with respect to remuneration arrangements for the dispensing pool month of July.
Our colleagues at Scottish Government have published the following circular advising community pharmacy contractors and NHS Boards that a naloxone emergency supply service will be added to the community pharmacy Public Health Service from 30th of October 2023.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the UK-wide active Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Estradot® (estradiol hemihydrate) 100 microgram patches
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the UK-wide active Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Utrogestan®
Community Pharmacy Scotland has been made aware of confusion around some of the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service (PFS) Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Patient Group Direction (PGD) details. We thought it would be useful to clarify these points.
Our colleagues at Scottish Government have produced an NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service Communications Toolkit to help promote Pharmacy First services in Scotland. There are two kits available: one specifically for women's health services and one for general services.
There has been an update to the respiratory section of the NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) Service Approved List of Products. This means that there are no longer any products listed under cough. It was agreed to remove Simple linctus sugar free, all pack sizes.
There has been an update to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Approved List.
guidance for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland (NHS PFS) service, which is in response to previous questions and outcomes from live events held with the community pharmacy network.
Referrals into community pharmacy from other healthcare professionals are becoming more frequent as community pharmacy services become more well known. This may result in an increase in recommendations to patients from other healthcare professionals when referring them to the community pharmacy for care.
The Scottish Government have updated the NHS Pharmacy First Approved List and to follow national prescribing guidance Simple Linctus sugar-free and Simple Linctus Paediatric sugar-free have now been removed from this list.
The update is to Section 10 Skin to remove Epimax Ointment and Epimax Paraffin free Ointment from NHS Grampian’s list only.
The NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service approved list of products has been updated as of 1st of April 2024.
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of updated Patient Group Directions (PGDs) that are to be implemented for the treatment of shingles and skin infections under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
We have been working with Scottish Government and NHS colleagues on trying to capture Pharmacy First Plus prescribing, advice and referrals data to better evidence the great work being done out in the network – at the moment, this cannot be separated out from standard Pharmacy First activity.
As some of you may be aware, NHS England are due to launch the NHS Pharmacy First service in English community pharmacies on 31st of January 2024.
Each local NHS Health Board has the ability to develop bespoke local pharmacy services to suit the needs of local communities and patients
This Circular provides updated guidance aimed at both community optometry and community pharmacy teams and an updated referral form for the assessment and treatment of minor eye conditions.
The NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service has an annualised pool of £30.800m. The service will remunerate contractors for making the service available to their communities (Base element) and for the episodes of care provided in line with service (Activity element).
Circular PCA(P)(2020)16 set out the intention to introduce a combined National Foundation Programme and Independent Prescriber (IP) Career Pathway for community pharmacists.
Patient Group Directions (PGDs) that are to be added to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of updated Patient Group Directions (PGDs) that are to be implemented for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI) and impetigo under NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
As part of a move to a regional formulary review process in the East of Scotland, both NHS Lothian and NHS Borders will very shortly inform contractors that the dose of Flucloxacillin permitted
Our colleagues in Primary Care have highlighted the attached website as a source of information for professionals and patients which you may find useful in your practice, and Pharmacy First and First Plus in particular.
Circular PCA(P)(2021)5 set out the arrangements for the settlement for pharmaceutical services for the period 2020-21, including for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
Since its launch in the midst of the pandemic, you and your teams have supported the people of Scotland with their minor health conditions over 2 million times!
With the Revised List of Approved List Products (PCA (P) (2021) 14) Circular, from 1st October 2021
This Circular encloses a revised Approved List of Products for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, which will come into force from 1st October 2021.
With the changes to the payment structure for both the Gluten Free Food Service and Unscheduled Care as of the 2021-22 financial framework.
Circular PCA(P)(2021)07 advises that Patient Group Directions (PGDs) supporting two further common clinical conditions will be added to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.
This Circular provides information for community optometry teams about the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland (NHS PFS) service. It also provides guidance aimed at both community optometry and community pharmacy teams and a referral form for the assessment and treatment of minor eye conditions.
This circular informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of the intention to establish a combined National Foundation Programme and Independent Prescriber (IP) Career Pathway for community pharmacists.
On 24 March 2020, Scottish Government announced support to self-isolate to those at a very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This includes providing help to access medicines and food supplies. An extension to this shielding period to at least 31 July 2020 was further announced on 8 June 2020.
This circular encloses amendments to the Health Board Additional Pharmaceutical Services (Minor Ailment Service (Scotland) Directions 2016 for the Minor Ailment Service (MAS) in respect of eligibility for the service, which come into effect on 1 April 2020
There has been an update to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Approved List.