Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers (IP) – We Need You!
Published: 18/07/24

Our aim: is to have an Independent Prescribing Service in every community pharmacy across Scotland, and we need your help to achieve this!
Where we are: At this stage we are trying to determine the network’s capacity.
Picture this: Every time a patient accesses the community pharmacy there is a prescriber on hand to provide consultation for their common clinical condition. No more frustration when you know what the patient needs but don’t have the function to prescribe. No more referring to an IP elsewhere. No more confusion for patients on why one pharmacy can offer the service but not another. A one stop pharmacy for every community and their common clinical conditions.
What we need to achieve this: We need a collective effort by our network of qualified IPs to facilitate Period of Learning in Practice (PLP) within the community pharmacy network for trainees. By providing just half a day (4 hours) of PLP once per month for a year, you would be supporting peer development whilst driving service delivery in the long run.
We also need those who are eligible to consider becoming a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) - Impart the skills and knowledge that you have developed from your learning and in practice experiences. Pass on the prescribing baton!
We know it’s a busy world out there and we appreciate the incredible work that is being done to provide fantastic health care to your communities. To ensure that all communities can access this advanced level of health care from their pharmacy, we must now work together to support the professional development it takes to get the whole network there. Let’s support trainee IPs in their learning journey to drive equal access to health care for all patients across Scotland.
Please complete the following survey to assist us in supporting you to join the cause!
There will be no sharing of any details, and all information submitted will be securely and confidentially held by CPS.
If you have any questions relating to this article, please contact 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.
The new updated version of Part 7 is now available for August 2025. In this month there is one deletion to Part 7 of the drug tariff we wanted to make you aware of.
Pharmacist Manager role at Steeple Pharmacy, Montrose. Part/full-time. GPHC registered. Great team, benefits, and career development.
Next prescription courier collection is 7th August 2025. Follow bagging guidelines and include GP34 forms..
Please note: Due to ongoing discussions with PHS and the Scottish Government, the final round of Adjusted Prices for July 2025 is likely to be agreed and published no later than Tuesday 5th August.
In September 2025, NES Pharmacy, in partnership with Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS), will be coordinating the next national community pharmacy workforce survey.
Community pharmacists are being advised of upcoming changes to prescribing arrangements under General Ophthalmic Services, which may affect the volume and nature of prescriptions they receive.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto visited Abbey Chemist in Paisley this week to see first-hand the vital role community pharmacies play in helping people quit smoking through the NHS Quit Your Way service.
Eight weeks smoke-free with the help of Varenicline, and I am beginning to notice a real shift. Smoking no longer feels like a constant temptation. That change has come gradually, and it is starting to feel natural thank to the Varenicline service and the team at my local community pharmacy.
A community pharmacy consultation has played a vital role in the early detection and treatment of a suspected case of Lyme disease, thanks to the vigilance of an Independent Prescribing (IP) Pharmacist and the power of public health awareness.
Our very own Audit and Services Assistant Emma Ramage is fundraising with a group of her determined friends who are walking in support of Blood Bikes Scotland in honour of their friend, Nic.
Our colleagues at NHS Education for Scotland (NES) are seeking community pharmacist members to join the Pharmacy Foundation Training Year (FTY) Development and Delivery Group.
You will receive email confirmation from Disclosure Scotland once your certificate has been granted and ready to view through your ScotAccount.
We are looking for a forward-thinking, proactive pharmacist to join our team. They will be highly motivated by the challenge of driving the growth of our pharmacy business and adapting to changes in the pharmacy contract.
Register for the Post Registration Foundation Programme for Pharmacists from 1st August to 12th September 2025 Submit your form early to secure funding.
Next prescription courier collection is 17 July 2025. Follow bagging guidelines and include GP34 forms..
Mark Easton recognised for 20+ years of service in Hopeman and Burghead with invitation to Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
eMessage and ePay systems will be unavailable on Sat 12 July 2025 from 9am–12pm due to planned maintenance. Thank you for your understanding.
Join our Operations Team to support pharmacy branches across Scotland, deliver excellent patient care and grow your career in a dynamic full time role.
Community Pharmacy Scotland donates £8,700 to Held In Our Hearts, supporting baby loss counselling and peer support through its Charity Golf Day.
Scottish Government confirms 2025/26 flu vaccine eligibility, key dates, and delivery plans. Health Boards urged to begin preparations.
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.
NES seeks pharmacists to facilitate virtual discussion groups for 2025-26 trainees. Support learning, share expertise, and shape future practice.
The Scottish Government has informed Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) that a 4% uplift will be applied to the Global Sum for 25/26 which amounts to around £9.31 million in total. This money will be directly used to support additional costs being borne by the network such as National Insurance impacts.
Removed Lines from Parts 2, 3, 4 of the Scottish Drug Tariff
Please note, due to ongoing discussions with PHS the final round of Adjusted Prices for June are likely to be agreed and published on Tuesday 1st July 2025.
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, July 3rd, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
In the past, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) maintained a Useful Websites page tailored to the needs of Independent Prescribers, and we’re now working to rebuild and refresh that page.