Actions for Newly Qualified Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers (CPIP)
Published: 10/10/24
Congratulations to everyone who has recently passed their IP Courses. Well done!
Once you have had the chance to celebrate, here are some details for next steps.
The Universities will confirm your qualification with the GPhC
You need to contact the GPhC to arrange to arrange annotation and pay the relevant fees.
Contact the Community Pharmacy Lead at your NHS Board. Details can be found at Community Pharmacy – A hub for all information relating to community pharmacy (scot.nhs.uk)
They will order your Rx Pads; these are printed on a 6 week cycle for all new prescribers (one week CP, one optom etc) so depending on where the cycle is, the Rx can take up to 8 weeks to arrive. Please be patient - we know you want your Rx asap. Ways to speed this up have been investigated, but there is no immediate, faster solution.
They will also let you know of local arrangements and requirements for sign off; these are Board specific and form part of the Board Governance of the service. This has to be completed before you can start delivering the service.
Let the relevant people in the pharmacy where you work know, so any specific arrangements they have can get underway. If your pharmacy does not already offer the service, once you are ready to start delivering, the sign up to the service needs to be completed. The details can be found in this circular - Primary and Community Care Directorate (squarespace.com)
If you have any questions, please contact us on enquiries@cps.scot
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
SSP extensions for Creon 10000 and 25000 have been issued. Pharmacists must review new end dates and continue limiting supply to one month.
On behalf of NHS Health Boards, we are collecting suggestions for amendments to the Approved List from our members and their pharmacy teams, which can be for additions to the list, replacements or deletions.
Our colleagues at Scottish Government have asked us to highlight the recall of specific SMA formula products and, importantly, the associated advice for healthcare teams - please see the attached information sheet for more detail.
M&D Green Gracemount seeks a Pharmacist to lead daily operations and deliver high‑quality patient care. Join a trusted community pharmacy team in Edinburgh.
Davidsons Chemists seeks a Pharmacist Manager for its Forfar branch. Competitive salary, strong training support, and great career development. Apply now.
Join Davidsons Chemists as a Pharmacist Manager in Garelochhead. Competitive salary, training support, and excellent career progression. Apply today.
Community Pharmacy Scotland will host the next Independent Prescribers meeting on Thursday 5th February 2026. If any independent prescribers in Scotland are planning to attend and have any items you would like to add to the agenda please email us.
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.
Our colleagues at Scottish Government have launched he Mind to Mind campaign which encourage people to look after their mental wellbeing. In this article you will find campaign resources that will help you spread the word within your community.
The NHS Pharmacy First Scotland approved product list has been updated for January 2026. Key changes include eczema treatments and cough remedies.
Our 2026 Manifesto calls for investment in infrastructure and integration to enable community pharmacies to deliver life-changing services.
UK pharmacy legislation update: pharmacists can now authorise handing out checked and bagged prescriptions when absent.
If you are a CP Employee starting your CPS/NES Funded IP Course in Jan 2026 at RGU or Strathclyde University, please make sure you have completed and returned the form sent to you by CPS during December.
We are currently reviewing future budgets and training capacity requirements for CPS/NES Funded Employee CPIP Training. To do this, we need a clear picture of how many CP employees in the network have not yet completed their training.
Important update on courier bag changes for prescription collections. Read carefully to avoid delays and ensure correct handling.
Clear guidance on interpreting Varenicline PGD wording from NHS Circular PCP(P)(2025)06 to ensure continuity of supply and patient care.
Review of adjusted prices for January 2026. One line stabilised; continue reporting shortages to help negotiations with Public Health Scotland.
For New Year the office will be closed on 1st and 2nd January 2026 with normal office hours resuming on Monday, 5th January 2026.
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, 8th January 2026. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
SSP 086 for Latanoprost/Timolol eye drops is active 19 Dec 2025–6 Feb 2026. Guidance for pharmacists on substitution and patient care.
SSP 085 for Nifedipine 60mg tablets is active from 19 Dec 2025 to 6 Feb 2026. Guidance for pharmacists on substitution and patient care.
Serious Shortage Protocol for nifedipine (Adipine® XL) 30mg MR tablets in effect from 19 Dec 2025 to 6 Feb 2026. Full guidance for pharmacists.
Join Market Street Pharmacy in Haddington as a Pharmacy Technician. Competitive pay, benefits, and flexible hours. Apply by 1 Feb 2026.
Update on December 2025 adjusted prices and January 2026 Scottish Drug Tariff Part 7 publishing. Key dates and contact details included.
With rising demand, expanded prescribing services, and ambitious plans for the 2030s, the network needs resources to deliver enhanced care.
Join NES’s free Return to Practice course for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on 23 January 2026. Refresh skills and build confidence.
UK pharmacy law changes are coming. Learn about new RP and SP roles and key dates, including a major update starting 7 January 2026.
New courier bags are arriving in pharmacies. Store securely and follow updated label process starting 22 January 2026.
Head of Policy & Development.

Update on the Parcelforce and Royal Mail prescription collection courier service in Scotland, interim arrangements, tracking labels and support contacts.