Courier Service: Key Reminders and Tips for Smooth Collections
Published: 31/10/24
At Community Pharmacy Scotland, we want to ensure the courier service runs as smoothly as possible for all our members. Below are some key reminders and tips to help avoid delays and ensure your prescription submissions are handled efficiently.
Your November Collection Dates: Tuesday 5th November and Tuesday 19th November.
Contact Us Promptly: If your prescriptions have not been collected within 48 hours of the scheduled collection date, please call us on 0131 467 7766 or email pharmacy.services@cps.scot.
Alternative Arrangements: If you are not ready for collection, contact us immediately to arrange a new pick-up. Please note that a further collection may incur additional costs for your pharmacy.
Driver Identification: Always ask to see the driver's ID card when they arrive for the collection.
Approved Couriers Only: Please ensure that collections are only made by Parcelforce or Royal Mail. Double-check who you are handing the prescriptions to.
Proper Labelling: Ensure all bags are addressed to P&CFS Scanning Team, Gyle Square, 1 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9EB.
Tracking and Verification: Copy the ‘Customer Use Only’ number from the label on your Parcelforce bag onto your pharmacy receipt and have the driver sign for the collection. This will assist in tracking prescriptions if needed.
Following these guidelines will help prevent any issues during collection and ensure your prescriptions are safely submitted, for more information you can refer to our guide which we hope will help you package them safely.
We will be sending out your new courier bag allocation in the coming weeks.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
Check out our Monthly Planner: key dates, deadlines and events for community pharmacy in Scotland, all in one place and updated throughout the month.
Pharmacy Manager opportunity with a family-run community pharmacy group offering training, career development and a supportive working environment.
Join Haddington Market Street Pharmacy as a Dispensing Assistant or Technician, with full-time and part-time opportunities available.
Pharmacist vacancy at New Town Pharmacy in Edinburgh, with support for Independent Prescribing and flexible part-time hours.
Newly qualified Pharmacist Independent Prescribers are invited to share their experiences as part of a University of Strathclyde study.
The latest Scottish Pain Pharmacy Network newsletter highlights pain management developments, CPD opportunities and prescribing resources.
As an Independent Prescriber Pharmacist, you will play a crucial role in enhancing patient outcomes and supporting the health and wellbeing of the local community. This position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with patients, providing consultations, advice, and prescription services directly.
Part-time Pharmacist opportunity in Turriff with a family-run independent pharmacy group focused on community healthcare.
Our colleagues at the GPhC Inspectorate have asked us to pass on a friendly reminder as to the procedures required for Community Pharmacies to appropriately deal with Private Prescriptions for Controlled Drugs.
If you have completed your Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Training on the Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) / PSD Scotland (formerly NES) Programme, a Teach & Treat (T&T) session at one of the hubs is included as part of your programme.
Seriouse Shortage Protocols for selected Estradot® patches and Creon® capsules have been extended until 8th January 2027.
Practical guidance to help pharmacy teams avoid courier collection issues and ensure prescription bags are collected correctly.
October 2026 Scottish Drug Tariff changes including Part 7 additions, deletions and updates to adjusted price arrangements.
The Sustainable Prescribing and Therapeutics Programme, are seeking examples of best practice in effective medicines use and approaches on reducing medicines waste within different healthcare settings
Support Pharmacist Manager opportunity across Tayside, Perthshire and Forth Valley with Davidsons Chemists.
Lead Davidsons Chemists' busy South Street pharmacy in Perth, with opportunities to develop services, teams and prescribing skills.
New drug death figures reinforce the need for a nationally commissioned substance use service and a stronger role for community pharmacy.
Updates to the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Approved List from October 2026, including new formulary entries and eczema products.
Full-time or part-time Pharmacist or Pharmacy Manager opportunity at Leuchars Pharmacy, including prescribing and clinical service delivery.
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has agreed a funding settlement with the Scottish Government for 2026/27, providing increased funding certainty for Scotland's community pharmacy network.
Join Healthful Pharmacy Cardonald as an Independent Prescriber Pharmacist and support community health in Glasgow. Competitive salary and supportive team.
Healthful Pharmacy Rothesay is recruiting a Pharmacy Manager to lead patient‑centred care, clinical services and community pharmacy delivery.
Details of the 2026/27 community pharmacy funding package, including Global Sum, guaranteed funding and remuneration arrangements.
The Scottish Parliament recently debated the growing challenge of health misinformation, including its impact on public confidence in healthcare and vaccination programmes.
Important information on Post Registration Foundation Training and Community Pharmacist Independent Prescriber training opportunities.
Applications are open until 30 September 2026 for the Post-Registration Programme for Pharmacists (Scotland).
A reminder for contractors to review PVG Scheme membership records and ensure relevant pharmacy staff are correctly linked to their employer.
A new Video Remote Interpreting pilot will launch in community pharmacies on 5 October 2026 to support BSL users accessing services.
I’m the Audit and Services Manager at Community Pharmacy Scotland, with over 11 years of experience in the pharmacy sector. Previously I worked with Rowlands Pharmacy and Phoenix Medical Supplies, focusing on operational efficiencies. Outside of work, I enjoy hill walking and am currently slowly trying to tick off all of the Munro Mountains.

Today, I represented Community Pharmacy Scotland on BBC Scotland television and BBC Radio Scotland, discussing the availability of private flu vaccinations in community pharmacy and how people can prepare for winter