This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.

Community Pharmacy Scotland was pleased to meet with Dame Jackie Baillie MSP on Tuesday at The Scottish Parliament to discuss the vital role of community pharmacy in Scotland's healthcare system.

Our colleagues at NSS have asked us to pass on the following message:

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) are undertaking a tech refresh of the Patient Registration Service (PRS) to ensure continued support. As part of this process, NSS will need to schedule a PRS system downtime.

Our colleagues at Public Health Scotland (PHS) have asked us to share the following update regarding the COVID-19 spring vaccine poster for people with a weakened immune system.

This week The Scotsman newspaper revealed that Scotland is on course for the highest number of annual flu deaths in almost half a century after more than than 350,000 fewer vaccines were given this winter.

Development of a new CPS strategy is well underway, with a final draft soon to be sent to the CPS Board for review.

Robert Gordon University (RGU) have developed a qualification aimed at post-registration pharmacy technicians across the UK entitled: BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.

A new letter has been jointly issued by Professor Sir Gregor Smith (Chief Medical Officer for Scotland), Professor Alison Strath (Chief Pharmaceutical Officer), and Anne Armstrong (Interim Chief Nursing Officer), underscores the importance of continued collaboration across health and social care.

To view our latest eNewsletter through your browser, please click on the link

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.

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland are running online training sessions on the FAST tool for identifying stroke, and community pharmacy team members are invited to join. 

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.

Our colleagues at Public Health Scotland (PHS) have asked that we disseminate the latest RADAR update to community pharmacy teams to inform you of concerns related to ongoing localised clusters of drug harms in multiple areas in Scotland.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland are gathering views and experiences from people currently taking Valproate, or those who have recently stopped.

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.

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.

We are pleased to announce that following the close of the nominations on Thursday 3rd of April 2025, Martin Green, who stood unopposed for the position of Chair of Community Pharmacy Scotland and James Semple, who also stood unopposed for the position of Vice Chair, have both accepted these appointments for the 2025-2028 term.

Here is a round-up of all the important news this week, including the latest updates on Independent Prescribing and Community Pharmacy vacancies within the network.

It is important that we have an up to date record of our CPIPs and Trainees. If there are any changes to your circumstances, please let us know by completing the attached form and sending it to us on  enquiries@cps.scot.