Today is the official launch date of Gateway C in Scotland. A free online cancer education platform for primary care health professionals.
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We have been advised that the May 2024 edition of Part 7 will be slightly delayed this month.
The Knowledge Network for health and social care has had a refresh!
Need to recruit a Pharmacist? Want to find a Pharmacy Technician or provide a pre-reg with an opportunity? Look no further, we have a powerful tool to help you advertise your vacancies and it’s free for you as one of our members to use. it’s free. Don’t’ worry, you read that perfectly!
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Your next Parcelforce prescription collection is coming up on Thursday, 2nd May 2024.
This October, a new group of newly qualified pharmacists who are employed in community pharmacy will embark on a programme designed to improve confidence and competence in-role. Successful applicants who progress as expected through the course will be guaranteed a place on an IP course in Scotland.
Last Saturday, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) attended the Scottish Pharmacists Awards to celebrate the amazing work of our community pharmacy network.
Today we met with MSP Colin Beattie at Bonnyrigg Pharmacy, which is in his constituency of Midlothian North and Musselburgh.
In this week’s roundup... Our Policy & PR Pharmacist Sarah Scott discusses the visit of MSP Audrey Nicoll at Garthdee Pharmacy, our Digital Communications Assistant Graham Le Tissier talks about the CPS Charity Golf Day and Our Digital Communications Officer Robbie Collins highlights the NHS’ “It’s Ok To Ask“ Campaign 2024.
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The MCR Ready Reckoner APP has been temporarily unpublished from our website due to anomaly in the data used. We are working with our colleagues at NHS National Services Scotland to review the data.
With your next Parcelforce prescription collection coming up on Thursday, 18th April 2024.
Our colleagues at NHS24 are currently running the “It’s OK to Ask” campaign supported by NHS Scotland.
The following are the Top Three items currently under discussion and review by your CPS Board. There is no specific detail, yet, as these are currently “works in progress”. Further detail will follow as available.
The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) is an independent organisation, accountable to the UK Parliament. Its remit is to protect the public through work with organisations that register and regulate people working in health and social care. The PSA is seeking consultation on the good practice guidance documents they have produced in support of regulatory reform.
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The annual reset of the Drug Tariff has now been undertaken by Public Health Scotland. This is where they balance the value of the tariff by modulating molecules up or down with a view to delivering the same overall value against volume and having outlier prices brought in line as part of the process.
Based on evidence, there are several lines that have stabilised which you can view here with their revised price for April 2024. These are no longer treated as Adjusted Prices; however, we will continue to monitor these lines, so we ask you to please continue to use our Shortages Reporter to report any that are of concern.
Yesterday Audrey Nichol MSP, our Head of Policy and Development, Amanda Rae, and our Policy & PR Pharmacist, Sarah Scott visited the team at Garthee Pharmacy in Aberdeen.
We are delighted to hear the recent joint consultation led by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department of Health Northern Ireland (DHNI), has been approved. This will enable pharmacy technicians to supply and administer medicines using Patient Group Directions (PGDs) once the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 have been amended.
Above is a roundup of the latest news affecting community pharmacy owners and their teams in Scotland.
Due to continued discussions with Public Health Scotland Part 7 of the Scottish drug tariff for April 2024 will not likely be published until early next week once all work is complete and agreed.
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As the delivery of our strategy to have CP IPs in all community pharmacies in Scotland, continues we have an ever growing number of CP IP Employee trainees across the network. Thanks to everyone who supporting this, and to the trainees for their hard work in gaining their IP qualification.
The Smoking Cessation Support Assessment Tool in the Pharmacy Care Record (PCR) has undergone a refresh to improve the user experience. The newly refreshed tool will launch on Monday, 8th April 2024.
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.
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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.
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 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®
To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Jext® 300 micrograms/0.3mL (1 in 1000) solution for injection auto-injector pen, from 21 August 2023 to 15 September 2023.
To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Estradot® (Estradiol hemihydrate) 100 microgram patches, from 21 August 2023 to 8 September 2023.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Progynova®
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the UK-wide active Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Utrogestan® (micronised progesterone) 100mg capsules
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 sets out to community pharmacy contractors and NHS Boards the details of the community pharmacy funding arrangement 2023/24
Two of the UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin antibiotic products due to expire on 21 July 2023 have now been extended
The UK-wide active Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Progynova® (estradiol) TS 100 microgram patches, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
This Circular advises of changes to the Scottish Drug Tariff effective from 1 May 2023 in respect of reimbursement of costs borne by community pharmacy contractors when dispensing NHS prescriptions for part 7 medicines.
A new naloxone service to be implemented in community pharmacies later this year, preparation work that will be required and a payment for associated costs.
To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Utrogestan® (micronised progesterone) 100mg capsules, from 19 May 2023 to 18 August 2023.
This Circular provides an updated Gluten Free Food Prescribable Product List to be used in conjunction with the community pharmacy Gluten Free Food Service (GFFS).
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
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors and NHS Boards of a one-off payment available to community pharmacy contractors to cover the completion of e-learning modules for the roll-out of the new NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.
Community Pharmacy Scotland is delighted to highlight this report into the ART (Advice, Referral and Treatment) of pharmacy within the community setting.
The update is to Section 10 Skin to remove Epimax Ointment and Epimax Paraffin free Ointment from NHS Grampian’s list only.