Test your understanding of how community pharmacy is funded in Scotland. 12 questions across reimbursement, the financial envelope, payment lines and margin.
12
Questions
4
Topics
~10
Minutes
Progress
Score: 0/00%
ReimbursementQuestion 1 of 12
Your pharmacy buys a medicine for £8 and dispenses it to an NHS patient. The Drug Tariff price is £10. What is the £2 difference called?
The difference between what you pay for a medicine and what the Drug Tariff reimburses is called margin. It is a deliberate and agreed part of your income — not a windfall.
ReimbursementQuestion 2 of 12
Which best describes reimbursement?
Reimbursement is being paid back when you spend your own money to fulfil an NHS prescription — like mileage expenses, but for medicines.
The EnvelopeQuestion 3 of 12
How much is the mapped guaranteed income for 2025/26?
For 2025/26, mapped guaranteed income increased by £20m to £100 million. This mechanism is unique to Scotland.
The EnvelopeQuestion 4 of 12
What is the Guaranteed Minimum Income for 2025/26?
The Guaranteed Minimum Income for 2025/26 is £120 million, confirmed in PCA(P)(2025)07 — the highest level ever agreed.
The EnvelopeQuestion 5 of 12
The Global Sum for 2024/25 was £232.7m — an increase of what percentage on the previous year?
The 2024/25 Global Sum was uplifted by 6% from the 2023/24 figure of £219.5m.
PaymentsQuestion 6 of 12
What is the Establishment Payment in 2024/25?
The Establishment Payment is £2,500 flat rate per month to every contractor on the list on the first day of the dispensing month.
PaymentsQuestion 7 of 12
To receive your Service Efficiency Payment, what eClaims target must you meet?
You must submit at least 80% of all possible electronic claims. Fall below this and you receive nothing for that month.
PaymentsQuestion 8 of 12
How much does a contractor with a pharmacist independent prescriber receive per month for NHS Pharmacy First Plus?
Contractors providing NHS Pharmacy First Plus receive £3,000 per month.
Part 7 and MarginQuestion 9 of 12
Your team reports a medicine shortage via the CPS Shortage Reporter. What is the primary financial reason this matters?
Reporting shortages gives CPS the evidence it needs to apply for price adjustments. Once granted, adjustments apply for the whole month.
Part 7 and MarginQuestion 10 of 12
Part 7 of the Drug Tariff is best described as:
Part 7 is a financial tool — prices are set so that across the basket of Part 7 medicines, the network retains a target level of margin.
Part 7 and MarginQuestion 11 of 12
When CPS conducts its annual margin survey, whose purchasing data is used?
The survey uses pharmacy purchasing data — what pharmacies actually paid, not wholesaler prices.
CashflowQuestion 12 of 12
A brand new contractor opens on the 1st of the month. How is their advance payment for month one calculated?
New contractors receive (days open / 31) x £18,000 for their first month.
