
Review updated adjusted prices for October 2025. Several lines stabilised. Continue reporting shortages via Shortages Reporter. Contact CPS for queries.
Serious Shortage Protocols for cefalexin oral suspension sugar free products extended to 24 Oct 2025. Applies to SSP077 and SSP078. Review updated guidance.
CPS-funded IP trainees: check your inbox for course payment details and support group invitations.
Help shape the future of MCR training materials. Complete the short survey and share feedback before the end of October. Pharmacy teams are encouraged to take part.
Our Manifesto makes clear our ambitions for community pharmacy in Scotland and the practical actions required to make our vision a reality.
Please note, due to ongoing discussions with Public Health Scotland (PHS) & Scottish Government the final round of Adjusted Prices for September 2025 are likely to be agreed and published later today, Wednesday 1st October or tomorrow Thursday 2nd October.
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7th, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
SARCS offers 24/7 NHS support after rape or sexual assault. Learn how to access care and share the campaign.
Pharmacist Support offers free, confidential wellbeing services for pharmacy teams. Learn how to access counselling, advice, and more.
Today on World Pharmacists Day we celebrate the incredible contribution that community pharmacists and their teams make to the health and wellbeing of people across Scotland.
On the 7th and 8th of September, our Policy & Development Officer, Gordon Winter visited Oslo to deliver a lecture to their Chief Pharmacists as part of Norway’s Apoteker-dagen or “Pharmacists Day”.
We’re inviting employers and executive-level stakeholders involved with pharmacist independent prescribers (PIPs) to complete a short research questionnaire.
The Scottish Respiratory Pharmacy Specialist Interest Group (SIG) is currently seeking a practising community pharmacist to join its membership.
From Wednesday the 1st October our colleagues at Public Health Scotland (PHS) have decided to rerun the ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign.
This Sunday (07/09/25), NES Pharmacy, in partnership with Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS), will be coordinating the next national community pharmacy workforce survey. This is the week to capture your staffing data for the Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey 2025.
Late August saw Gill and Gordon from our Policy Team attend the Scottish Drugs Forum in Glasgow. The two-day conference highlighted the importance of lived-in experience influencing future strategy, with updates on recent developments across Scotland as well as other parts of the UK.
Around the globe, decades of social and healthcare sector progress have driven life expectancy higher than ever, but not all of these years gained are lived in good health, particularly in areas of higher deprivation.
Our colleagues at NES are running a webinar looking at Cancer Care for Pharmacy Teams on Tuesday 28th October at 19:30 to 21:00.
Community Pharmacy Scotland reviews adjusted prices with Public Health Scotland. View stabilised lines and continue reporting shortages to support price negotiations.
Please note, due to ongoing discussions with PHS & Scottish Government the final round of Adjusted Prices for August 2025 are likely to be agreed and published tomorrow Tuesday 2nd of September.
Updated PGDs for UTIs and impetigo approved for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland. Health Boards to implement locally.
Royal Mail has made changes to how prescriptions are collected. Scanning now happens at the depot, not at pickup but your schedule stays the same.
Pharmacy First Scotland product list updates on 1 September 2025. QV Skin Lotion removed from NHS Borders, Fife & Lothian emollient options.
Gateway C supports early cancer diagnosis with free NHS-funded courses for healthcare professionals. Accessible, practical, and confidence-building.
Dapagliflozin tablets added to Scottish Drug Tariff from 1st Sept 2025. Generic prices reduced following patent ruling.
Twelve weeks ago, I walked into my local community pharmacy with hope, a little trepidation, and a long history of failed attempts to quit smoking.
The Part 11 clawback rate has been reset to 0% from 1 July 2025. Future reviews will follow 2026/27 survey results. Full details in PCA(P)(2025)13.
We are pleased to confirm that the next Independent Prescribers meeting will take place on Thursday 28th August 2025.
Join NES’s webinars to explore practical strategies for hosting pharmacy students and enhancing experiential learning across Scotland.
Serious Shortage Protocols for cefalexin oral suspension sugar free products extended to 24 Oct 2025. Applies to SSP077 and SSP078. Review updated guidance.
Updated PGDs for UTIs and impetigo approved for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland. Health Boards to implement locally.
The Part 11 clawback rate has been reset to 0% from 1 July 2025. Future reviews will follow 2026/27 survey results. Full details in PCA(P)(2025)13.
Scottish pharmacy funding for 2025/26 confirmed at £343.3m, with a 4% uplift to the Global Sum and increased guaranteed income for key services.
SSPs for Estradot® HRT patches now end 10 Oct 2025. Pharmacists may substitute with Evorel® or Estraderm MX® to manage supply issues.
This circular reminds community pharmacy contractors of the key service requirements for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, highlighting the importance of face-to-face consultations, correct use of NHS branding, and adherence to national service guidelines.
A Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP 083) is in effect from 23 June to 1 August 2025 for venlafaxine 37.5mg MR tablets, allowing substitution with capsules. Learn how pharmacists should manage this temporary supply issue.
SSPs for Estradot® HRT patches extended to 10 Oct 2025. Community pharmacy contractors are advised to note the updated expiry date.
This circular advises community pharmacy contractors on the amendments to the Drug Tariff Part 11 clawback scale.
New naloxone product added to emergency supply service. Updated service specification now available for community pharmacy teams.
SSPs for Estradot® and Creon® extended. Pharmacists advised of new expiry dates: 6 June 2025 for Estradot®, 21 Nov 2025 for Creon® capsules.
Updated guidance for pharmacy provision of prophylactic paracetamol after MenB and other childhood vaccines, plus supporting clinical info.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the four UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 2 May 2025 have been extended.
The NHS circular PCA(P)(2025)08 informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of new arrangements in place for the procurement and reimbursement of Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir).
This circular sets out to community pharmacy contractors and Health Boards the details of the reimbursement arrangements as part of the community pharmacy funding settlement for 2025/26.
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of an updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) that is to be implemented for smoking cessation under the community pharmacy Public Health Service.
Please find attached NHS PCA(P)(2025)05 circular advising of a new Serious Shortage Protocol in place for Estradot® (Estradiol) 25 micrograms / 24 hours transdermal patch until Friday 2 May 2025.
Please find attached NHS circular PCA(P)(2025) 04 - Extension to Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot (estradiol) 50, 75 and 100mcg patches, advising that the SSPs for the noted Estradot (estradiol) products have been extended until Friday 2 May 2025.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol for Estradot® (Estradiol) 50 micrograms / 24 hours transdermal patch (SSP079), a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 21 March 2025 has been extended until Friday 4 April 2025.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol for Estradot® (Estradiol) 50 micrograms / 24 hours transdermal patch, a hormone replacement therapy product has been extended.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for cefalexin 125mg / 5ml oral suspension sugar free due to expire on 31 January 2025 has been extended until Friday 2 May 2025.
Serious Shortage Protocols (SSP) in place for cefalexin 125mg / 5ml & 250mg / 5ml oral suspension sugar free, from 10 December 2024 to 31 January 2025.
Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) are now in place for Estradot® (estradiol) 50 mcg, 75 mcg & 100 mcg / 24 hour transdermal patch, from 19 December 2024 to 28 January 2025.
This Circular informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of the intention to continue funding for Community Pharmacist Practitioner Champions in 2024-25.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Ramipril 2.5mg tablets due to expire on 15 November 2024 has been extended until Friday 29 November 2024.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors of a new Universal Claim Framework (UCF) module that will be available for use by providers of Pharmacy First Plus from 1 February 2025.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the Serious Shortage Protocol for isosorbide mononitrate (Monomax® XL) 60mg modified release tablet due to expire on 18 October 2024 has been extended until Friday 15 November 2024.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors of an updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) that is to be implemented for the provision of desogestrel as bridging contraception.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors of changes to NHS prescription stationery for the CP4/3 prescription form.
This circular sets out to community pharmacy contractors the details of the community pharmacy funding arrangement for 2024/25.

Updated PGDs for UTIs and impetigo approved for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland. Health Boards to implement locally.
This circular reminds community pharmacy contractors of the key service requirements for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, highlighting the importance of face-to-face consultations, correct use of NHS branding, and adherence to national service guidelines.
Read Victoria’s incredible real-world story of how a routine consultation through the NHS Pharmacy First Plus service led to the urgent referral of a patient who was later diagnosed with leukaemia.
Check out our Policy & PR Pharmacist, Sarah Scott, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland this morning about how people can manage their hay fever symptoms and access expert support through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
The Scottish Government has published its NHS Operational Improvement Plan, which describes how the commitments outlined in the First Minister’s January speech will be delivered. In his speech, First Minister John Swinney announced plans to make it easier for people to see a first point of contact with the NHS, for example a community pharmacist. The Operational Improvement Plan states that the Scottish Government will further expand the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, enabling community pharmacists to treat a greater number of clinical conditions.
The approved list of products for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service has been updated from the 1st March 2025.
Do you have questions about NHS Pharmacy First Scotland / NHS PFS Plus and or the UCF Module?
First Minister John Swinney addressed the nation yesterday (27/01/25) to outline plans for NHS reform, pledging to reduce waiting lists, enhance the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.
Our Policy and PR Pharmacist attended the Norsk Farmasoytisk Selskap Pharmacy Conference in Oslo last Thursday where she gave a presentation on NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
There has been an update to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Approved List.
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
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.
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!
Today, Tuesday 2nd September 2025 Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) launched its 2026 Manifesto which focuses on delivering healthier communities across Scotland, setting out CPS’s ambitions for how Scotland’s 1,200 plus community pharmacies can help transform the nation’s health, as close to home as possible.